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RF & Payloads

Senior RF Communications Engineer - Space Subsystems - $10K Sign On Bonus

BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems logoBAE Systems Space & Mission Systems$97,008–$164,914/yrBoulder, Colorado, United StatesFull-timePosted 1w ago
  • $10,000 sign-on bonus

How this pay compares

This posting states $97k–$165k a year. Open RF engineer jobs in Colorado post a median of $158k a year, the middle half $131k–$204k, across 49 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

RF and communications engineers in Colorado: pay by town and employer

About the job

</br><b>Job Description </b></br><p><strong>Minimum $10,000 Sign On Bonus being offered for external hires.</strong><br><br>Join the Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Telecommunications team at BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS) - a group of motivated problem-solvers faced with the daily challenge of ensuring communications to and from space vehicles.

We're excited about the projects we're involved in and have a commitment to the missions we enable.

Offering growth opportunities at all skill levels and experience, we're looking for leaders and innovators who can continue our reputation for creativity and technical excellence, while helping to define the future of BAE Systems SMS.<br><br>We're seeking an independent, action-oriented technical lead to support telecom subsystem design, development, integration, and test throughout the lifecycle of space vehicle (SV) development for major programs.

A telecom subsystem may be an entire communications payload or a subassembly to carry tracking, telemetry, command, and instrument data between a space vehicle and relays or ground stations.<br><br>Make a difference. Love what you do.

Realize your full potential.<br><br>The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions.

Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and solid execution. <br><br><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong><br> </p><ul><li>Define architectures and support trade studies to appropriately scope subsystem design, assembly, integration, test, launch and early operation (LEOPS) for proposals or studies.</li><li>Understand, define, and manage subsystem requirements.</li><li>Understand, define, and manage internal/external interfaces.</li><li>Report cost, schedule, and technical status to internal/external customers.</li><li>Define, quantify, manage, and report technical risks.</li><li>Provide and/or review engineering analyses to demonstrate adequate subsystem performance and to verify satisfaction of technical requirements (Ex: link budgets, pointing accuracy, component performance, etc.).</li><li>Support subsystem and program milestones/gates with appropriate analyses, presentations, and coordination.</li><li>Support identification, procurement, development, test, and integration of hardware, software, and support equipment.</li><li>Manage an incremental assembly, integration, and test strategy to adequately demonstrate subsystem compliance to requirements and interface integrity.</li><li>Support systems-level engineering trades.</li><li>Support LEOPS, on-orbit test, and post-delivery plans and execution.</li><li>Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.</li><li>Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company.

Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.</li><li>Perform other duties as necessary.</li></ul> <p><strong>On-Site Work Environment:</strong> This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location.

Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.<br> </p><p><strong>Working Conditions:</strong><br> </p><ul><li><p>Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.</p></li><li><p>May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.</p></li><li><p>May access other facilities in various weather conditions.</p></li></ul></br></br><b>Required Education, Experience, & Skills </b></br><ul><li>BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 4 or more years related experience.</li><li>Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience.

Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.

Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.</li><li>Microwave, radio frequency, and/or optical communications subsystem hardware experience.</li><li>Excellent customer service, accountability, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.</li><li>Solid critical thinking skills that result in effective decision making and priority setting.</li><li>Drive for results and executional excellence.</li><li>Team building skills with a player/coach mindset.</li><li>Attention to detail that leads to complete, high-quality engineering products.</li></ul><p><span style="color:#ffffff;">#LI- DM3</span></p><p>A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position.

However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access. </p></br></br><b>Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills </b></br><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li>Space communications hardware experience.</li><li>Experience leading a team.</li></ul><br><br><b>Pay Information</b><br>Full-Time Salary Range: $97008 - $164914<br><br>Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures.

However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. <br><br>Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being.

Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance.

Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards.

Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.<br></br></br><b>About BAE Systems, Inc.</b></br>BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us.

As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.<br /><br />Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here.

It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.<br /><br />This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days.

The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

From BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems

Spacecraft, instruments and mission systems from the former Ball Aerospace, now inside BAE Systems.

Pay on its listings: 100% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on BAE Systems's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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