Sr. Staff Space-Based Communications Systems Engineer

About the role

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what's happening now and shape what's coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters-where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world. To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below. Our SpaceWrx team is responsible for developing advanced space systems that enable resilient, high-performance communications architectures for next-generation commercial, civil, and national security missions. We are seeking an experienced Space-Based Comms Systems Engineer to lead the evaluation, integration, and technical oversight of mainly spacecraft optical communications solutions. This role will serve as a key technical authority across optical terminal selection, link performance analysis, vendor engagement, and system-level architecture development. You will work at the intersection of: Spacecraft optical communications Systems engineering and architecture development Vendor management and hardware procurement Mission performance analysis Cross-functional spacecraft integration The ideal candidate understands not only the optical communications subsystem itself, but also how it interacts with the broader spacecraft architecture and mission objectives. This individual will provide technical leadership from early trade studies through deployment and operational readiness. What you'll do day-to-day Lead the evaluation, selection, and integration of spacecraft optical communications systems for mission-critical space programs. Develop and maintain optical communications trade studies, requirements analyses, and hardware down-selection efforts. Build and maintain detailed optical link budgets, including acquisition, tracking, pointing, atmospheric effects, distance-dependent losses, and system performance margins. Analyze end-to-end communications performance and recommend architecture improvements across spacecraft, ground, and network segments. Assess optical terminal capabilities, data rates, acquisition strategies, modulation approaches, and operational concepts to ensure mission success. Serve as the primary technical interface with optical communications vendors, evaluating product offerings and ensuring alignment with program requirements. Guide vendor engagements throughout the product lifecycle, including technical reviews, design assessments, manufacturing oversight, and delivery planning. Interact and collaborate with optical comm and RF cross-link service providers to evaluate the applicability of their offerings Monitor supplier manufacturing, integration, testing, and qualification activities to ensure schedule, quality, and technical objectives are achieved. Collaborate with spacecraft, avionics, communications, mission operations, payload, and systems engineering teams to develop optimized end-to-end solutions. Identify technical risks, performance limitations, and integration challenges while developing mitigation strategies. Support system architecture development and provide recommendations on upstream and downstream subsystem impacts. Contribute to customer engagements, technical reviews, and proposal activities as a subject matter expert in optical communications. Minimum requirements for this position Must be a U.S. citizen and possess, or have the ability to obtain, a U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering , Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline. 5+ years of experience in the Aerospace industry - 2+ years of developing, integrating, or supporting spacecraft optical communications systems. Strong understanding of spacecraft optical communications principles, including: Link acquisition and tracking Pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems Optical link budget development Data rate and bandwidth calculations Distance-dependent losses and performance modeling End-to-end communications architecture Experience conducting technical trade studies and hardware down-selection efforts. Experience with spacecraft optical communications AI&T campaigns and deploying into full operations Experience developing and maintaining system-level performance analyses and link budgets. Demonstrated ability to evaluate vendor technologies and manage technical relationships with suppliers and manufacturers. Experience overseeing hardware development, manufacturing, testing, and q

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