Systems Engineer | Help Engineer the Future of Space Communications

Location: El Segundo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time, Contract | 12 Months
Schedule: Monday–Friday | First Shift | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Pay Rate: $83.17 per hour

Take Your Engineering Career Beyond the Horizon

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join our team in El Segundo, CA, partnering with a leader in the aviation, defense, and space industry.

In this high-impact role, you will support the design and development of next-generation space-based communication systems for commercial, civil, and national security programs. You will apply your expertise in digital signal processing, digital communications, systems engineering, and FPGA/ASIC technologies to help develop sophisticated satellite systems from early concept through integration, testing, and in-orbit operations.

If you're passionate about solving complex engineering challenges and want your work to contribute to the future of satellite communications, this could be your next career move.

What You'll Do

As a Systems Engineer supporting DSP algorithms and satellite communications, your responsibilities will include:

• Design and develop next-generation RF and digital satellite communication systems.

• Develop and verify multi-rate, fixed-point signal processing algorithms.

• Conduct detailed performance analysis of signal processing models.

• Perform waveform development, analysis, and characterization.

• Conduct engineering trade studies to evaluate and optimize technical solutions.

• Support satellite payload and spacecraft integration and testing, from unit-level testing through in-orbit operations.

• Contribute to HDL-level design and verification activities.

• Perform detailed system design, requirements, and verification activities.

• Work across the engineering lifecycle, including concept studies, system definition, development, integration, and testing.

• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, program management, integration and test engineers, systems engineers, and senior technologists.

• Contribute to and, when assigned, lead engineering teams and technical initiatives.

• Support internal research and development activities focused on advancing future capabilities.

• Maintain regular and predictable attendance while supporting program objectives and schedules.

Required Qualifications

We're looking for candidates with:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related qualifying technical discipline.

• 5+ years of experience with core digital communications and signal processing theory.

• Experience with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and digital communications algorithms and techniques, such as:

  • Equalization

  • Turbo/Viterbi coding and decoding

  • Channel estimation

  • Filter design

  • Resampling theory

• 3+ years of experience with MATLAB or Simulink.

• 3+ years of systems engineering experience, including requirements definition, allocation, verification, architecture design, and trade studies.

• 1+ years of experience working with FPGAs or ASICs.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Must be eligible to obtain a Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

You'll stand out if you also bring:

• Experience using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and spectrum analyzers.

• Previous experience leading teams of engineers.

• 14+ years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience.

• Experience with satellite communications, RF systems, or space-based technology.

• Knowledge of HDL-level design and verification.

• Experience supporting complex systems throughout the complete engineering lifecycle.

Why Join Us?

At PDS Tech Commercial, we connect exceptional technical talent with opportunities to work on some of today's most sophisticated aviation, aerospace, defense, and technology programs.

This opportunity gives you the chance to:

• Earn a competitive rate of $83.17 per hour.

• Work a consistent Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule.

• Contribute to the development of advanced satellite and space-based communication systems.

• Apply your DSP and systems engineering expertise to challenging, real-world programs.

• Collaborate with talented engineers, technical specialists, customers, suppliers, and program teams.

• Gain exposure to projects spanning the full lifecycle, from early concepts and trade studies through integration, testing, and in-orbit operations.

• Work in an environment driven by innovation, technical excellence, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• Build valuable experience supporting technologies with applications across commercial, civil, defense, and national security missions.

This isn't just another engineering assignment. It's an opportunity to apply your expertise to sophisticated systems designed to operate where performance and reliability truly matter.

Ready to Engineer What's Next?

If you're an experienced Systems Engineer with a strong background in digital signal processing and communications who is ready to tackle complex technical challenges, we want to hear from you.

Apply today with PDS Tech Commercial and put your expertise to work helping shape the next generation of space communications technology.

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