Systems Engineer (Interfaces & ConOps)
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At ThinKom, we don’t just build antennas - we design high-performance, next-generation mechanical systems that connect the world across air, land, sea, and space. From Inflight Connectivity (IFC) to High-Power Microwave (HPM) systems to Defense SATCOM, our technology operates in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
We are looking for a Systems Engineer to drive the system architecture, interface definitions, and hardware/software integration across our advanced antenna platforms. In this role, you will define the Concept of Operations (ConOps), establish cable and network interconnects, author Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and ensure full requirements traceability across the entire product lifecycle.
Position Summary
Working within an Integrated Product Team (IPT), you will bridge multidisciplinary engineering disciplines (RF, electrical, mechanical, and software), define system budgets (power, thermal, network), and develop test plans to support Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V).
What You'll Do
- Architecture & Interface Definition:
- Define system-level Concepts of Operations (ConOps), operational modes, and use cases, including multi-beam allocation, handovers, and beam combining without service interruption.
- Author, maintain, and baseline system-level hardware and software Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
- Define comprehensive system interconnects: cable lists, interconnect diagrams, RF/IF cable sets, phase-matched cabling, and monitor-and-control (M&C) harnesses.
- Evaluate customer- and supplier-facing interfaces (e.g., standard terminal-control protocols vs. REST APIs), assessing software architecture and schedule impacts.
- Establish operator interface requirements for multi-beam platforms in close coordination with the software engineering team.
- Requirements & Systems Analysis:
- Own system specifications and customer compliance matrices; flow down requirements to subsystem teams and maintain end-to-end traceability through verification.
- Develop and maintain system-level power budgets, size thermal/cooling requirements, and specify power distribution and network hardware.
- Define system network architecture and IP addressing schemes in collaboration with software and IV&V teams.
- Produce and maintain system/subsystem block diagrams, interface architectures, and part-number structures across design revisions.
- Evaluate and lead trade studies for Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components to verify physical, functional, and environmental compatibility.
- Verification, Integration & Program Support:
- Author system test requirements, demonstration plans, and acceptance procedures; partner with the IV&V team to support execution and formal verification sign-off.
- Prepare and present technical design, analysis, and architecture packages for internal milestones and customer design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
- Support multiple concurrent programs and product variants under the leadership of assigned Program Managers.
- Ensure all engineering artifacts comply with company design procedures, configuration management standards, and records-retention policies.
What You Bring
Must-Haves:
- Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years of direct systems engineering experience on complex hardware/software systems.
- Requirements & Interfaces: Demonstrated experience authoring ConOps, system requirements, and ICDs with full requirements traceability.
- Interconnects: Proven background defining cable, harness, and interconnect architectures (including RF/IF routing and M&C cabling).
- Protocols & Networking: Working knowledge of network architectures, TCP/IP, SNMP, and RESTful APIs.
- Budgets & Analysis: Hands-on experience developing power, thermal, and network budgets, with the ability to interpret RF and electrical schematics.
- Scripting & Tools: Experience using Python or Linux shell scripting for data parsing or system automation; proficiency with standard technical diagramming and office productivity tools.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written technical communication skills, with experience presenting complex systems topics to customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Security Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance
Nice-to-Haves (Preferred):
- Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies or requirements management tools (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw, DOORS, Jama).
- Background in satellite communications (SATCOM), phased-array systems, or multi-beam antenna platforms.
- Familiarity with RF chain analysis, link budgets, and customer-facing terminal-control protocols.
- Experience navigating formal aerospace/defense development cycles (DoD, FAA, or commercial space standards).
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Travel: Up to 10% domestic or international travel as needed for customer support, supplier coordination, or test campaigns.
- Physical Requirements: Standard office and laboratory/integration environments. Occasional lifting of equipment or test fixtures up to 50 lbs may be required
- Work Environment: Standard office and laboratory/integration environments. . Must be comfortable working around lab instrumentation, RF test environments, and light assembly areas. Work may occasionally require irregular hours to support critical program milestones.
Why Join ThinKom?
At ThinKom, you'll work on innovative technologies that connect people around the world. Our engineers are empowered to solve meaningful technical challenges, collaborate with industry experts, and contribute to products that make a real impact. We value innovation, teamwork, technical excellence, and continuous learning while providing an environment where engineers can grow their careers and influence the future of advanced communications technology.
We foster a collaborative culture that values innovation, technical excellence, continuous learning, and professional growth. If you're looking for an opportunity to solve complex engineering challenges while helping shape the future of advanced antenna and electromagnetic technologies, we encourage you to apply.
