Systems Design Engineer

Cobham Satcom/Sea Tel is the world leader in antenna systems. We produce the most advanced technology in satellite communications for commercial use. We have an immediate need for a Quality Engineer located at our R&D and Manufacturing facility in Concord CA. The Concord location of Cobham Satcom is the home of SeaTel Maritime and Land Antennas. This facility develops and manufactures motion stabilized antennas that range in size from 0.6 m to 6 m. Our antennas are installed around the world.
Trust, Talent and Technology have driven Cobham Satcom from its launch to a global leader in state of-the-art Aerospace and Defense systems. The insight and vision of our innovators today will secure our collective future; Innovators like you!
The successful incumbent must be a US Person and will be responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and improvement of quality assurance processes. Throughout the implementation and maintenance process, this candidate should use data analysis to better understand quality reporting measures and improve processes.
BASIC ROLE DESCRIPTION Responsible for the technical development of Ground Gateways and Telemetry, Tracking, and Control (TT&C) Satcom antenna systems. Terminals include state-of-the-art tracking antennas and innovative supporting systems. You will provide technical leadership in the development of requirements, specifications, and architectures used by several stakeholders including suppliers and engineering support staff. You will be responsible for preparing design review documentation and organizing data and records to support submittals for internal reviews. You will be responsible for designs and resultant systems that support parabolic tracking antenna stations for installation both domestically and internationally. You will also be responsible for testing/validation and integration with network connectivity.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Denotes "essential functions" in accordance with the guidelines of The Americans with Disabilities Act. The essential functions of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to, those specifically identified in this description. The position and its essential functions may change over time and these changes may not necessarily be reflected in the position description. The Company may, at its sole discretion, add to, change, or expand the essential or marginal functions of the position.
• Provide technical leadership to internal teams and suppliers in the development of integrated hardware/software satellite ground systems • Develop specifications, requirements, and system designs for LEO Ground Gateways • Lead deployment and testing of ground systems in a lab environment including developing test plans and generating/approving test reports • Develop test plans to support the validation of the ground gateways to ensure they meet technical, functional, performance, and business requirements • Responsible for the development of detailed CONOPS and the definition of how to control and monitor multiple ground systems remotely • Responsible for interpreting the customer requirements via necessary meetings and creating documentation by generating system block diagrams, antenna, and pedestal schematics and supporting other documentation like BOM, system analysis report, satellite link budget, power budget, etc. • It is important to defend your designs via presentations and written communication while supporting the various design reviews as a part of product design life cycles. • Ability to diagnose complex system-level problems, creation of hands-on assemblies, and practical use of VNA, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, multimeter, etc. is expected. • Practical knowledge of IEC, MIL, CE, R&TTE, RED standards, and qualifying systems against those standards is expected. System-level qualification lab experience with technical report writing ability is expected. • Familiarity with networking concepts, RF cables/waveguides, various types of coax cables, RF couplers, block-up converters, block converters, tracking receivers, coax switches, attenuators, modems, etc. is expected. • You are expected to work on new product development and sustaining activities. • Must adhere to and support the company’s Safety Health & Environmental (SHE) program • All other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability generally required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field is required. • Minimum of 8 years of experience in the development and delivery of satellite tracking antenna systems. • System Engineering experience in multiple roles, including operations concept development, requirements management, functional analysis, interface definition and control, verification, and validation. • Access to technology, materials, software, or hardware controlled by US export laws is required. • Eligibility requires being either a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident. • This position is onsite.
Preferred Qualifications • Master's Degree in Engineering, computer science, or a similar field. • Experience with GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite communications. • RF Engineering and test experience. • Thorough understanding of Satellite communications link budgets. • Experience with Analogue and Digital Fiber Optics. • Familiarity with SW Development and hardware integration related to satellite ground station infrastructure.
General Qualifications • LANGUAGE ABILITY: Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization. • MATH ABILITY: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages. • REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • TECHNICAL SKILLS: See above. • COMPUTER SKILLS: Microsoft Excel, Word, & Outlook – intermediate level required. Experience using an Agile ERP system is preferred. • CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: None required.
OTHER ESSENTIAL SKILLS •Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for and own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan Initiative - Volunteers readily; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; recognizes, initiates projects, asks for and offers help when needed.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The work environment is in an office setting. However, some time will be spent in an open factory environment. On the factory floor, the temperature fluctuates relative to the outdoor weather due to the large roll-up doors in constant use. There is some excessive noise on the production floor. The immediate work area has no caustic chemicals or fumes. Light travel (1-3 times per year) may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing their duties, 25% of the job is completed while standing and 75% while sitting. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach above shoulder height. Unassisted lifting up to 35 pounds may be required.