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Norfolk, VA, USA | Full Time

SATCOM Support Services Engineer

DEFTEC delivers mission-critical solutions through skillfully delivered services and innovative products. We are inspired by our clients' critical missions and driven to provide the most effective solutions to execute their missions, operational challenges, and requirements. Our dedicated, experienced, and talented employees work closely with our clients to ensure the delivery of exceptional services and products.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The SATCOM Systems Engineer will play a critical role in the assessment, design, and evolution of NATO's satellite communications capabilities across strategic, operational, and tactical domains. This position involves conducting technical evaluations of SATCOM networks, terminals, and anchoring systems, while supporting the integration of military and commercial satellite resources. The engineer will develop interface control documentation, support modeling and simulation activities, and assess emerging technologies like AI-driven resource management and optical links. Collaboration with NATO entities (ACT, ACO, NCIA) and industry stakeholders is essential, along with preparing technical briefings and participating in workshops and technical forums.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

+ Conduct technical assessments of SATCOM networks, terminals, and anchoring systems across NATO strategic, operational, and tactical domains.

+ Support system architecture definition, including integration of MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM resources.

+ Perform trade-off and feasibility analysis addressing performance, resilience, spectrum efficiency, and cost-benefit aspects;

+ Contribute to the development of future-oriented SATCOM system concepts, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) integration, software-defined payloads, and multi-orbit architectures.

+ Create Analysis of Alternative documents for different options considered.

+ Develop and maintain system-level functional and technical requirements for future SATCOM systems and related ground infrastructure.

+ Support interoperability and standardization activities (e.g., STANAGs, NATO interoperability profiles, SATCOM reference architectures);

+ Provide interface control documentation (ICD) and configuration baselines for engineering reference.

+ Contribute to modelling and simulation of SATCOM service delivery architectures and integration with existing Networks.

+ Assess the impact of emerging technologies such as AI-driven resource management, optical links, and protected waveforms.

+ Provide recommendations for technology insertion and obsolescence mitigation.

+ Liaise with ACT, ACO, and NCIA technical authorities, providing engineering inputs and consolidated documentation.

+ Prepare technical briefings, reports, and data packages supporting NATO capability planning.

+ Participate in workshops, technical meetings, and industry engagement events as required.

Required Qualifications:

+ Education: University Degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, or a related field, with at least two years of post-related experience; or Higher Vocational Training with a minimum of five years of post-related experience.

+ SATCOM Expertise: Minimum of three years of practical experience in SATCOM systems, including UHF, SHF, HF and EHF systems.

+ Technical Expertise: Familiarity with modern military communication networks, including interfaces, protocols, and experience with SATCOM Operations.

+ Deep knowledge of SATCOM architecture principles, including link budget analysis, modulation schemes, error correction coding, satellite network topologies

+ Strong understanding of RF engineering, antenna systems, propagation modelling in SATCOM bands, cybersecurity architecture for SATCOM, including encryption

+ Familiarity with SATCOM related standards, such as DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, MIL-STD-188, experience in Software Defined Networking (SDN) in SATCOM

+ Customer Service and Incident Management: Familiarity in service management (incident, problem management, etc.) and a customer-focused approach in a control centre environment.

+ NATO Environment: prior experience working in a NATO or multinational military setting, with a solid understanding of NATO operational standards and protocols.

DEFTEC offers a comprehensive whole-life benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, holiday, paid time off, 401K with a match, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and educational reimbursement. The DEFTEC team comprises professionals who make a difference daily in crucial national security missions. Our leadership knows that this happens by employing a diverse team that is well cared for. Our top priority is our employees, making DEFTEC an ideal workplace.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you require reasonable accommodations.

DEFTEC is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

AAP/EEO Statement

DEFTEC Corp is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics ), genetic information, age, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, arrest record and/or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state or local law.

This policy applies to all terms of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.