Principal Systems Engineer (Ground Station Architect) at CesiumAstro
Melbourne
—
Jun 29, 2026
Melbourne
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A principal-level individual contributor role focused on defining and maintaining end-to-end architectures across satellite platforms, communications payloads, ground stations, and supporting software systems. The work involves translating mission and customer requirements into system designs, leading technical trade studies, and producing architecture documentation such as CONOPS and interface definitions. Suited to someone with deep experience across space systems, satellite communications, and ground infrastructure who can operate at both strategic and detailed engineering levels.
Principal level · 15+ years · Austin, TX · Bachelor's required · Full-time
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (8)
CesiumAstro is headquartered in Austin, TX; no location is explicitly stated in the posting but the company's known base is Austin. Remote work is not offered.
The posting explicitly frames this as a 'principal-level individual contributor' role, supporting the Principal seniority classification despite the title reading 'Communication Systems Architect' with no level word.
SOC classification is a judgement call: this is a cross-domain systems architect role spanning satellite hardware, communications payloads, ground infrastructure, and software — it sits between 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other, covering architects without a cleaner fit) and 15-1211 (Computer Systems Analysts). Neither is a perfect match; 15-1299 is chosen as the primary because the role's core output is end-to-end system architecture rather than business/IT systems analysis.
The degree requirement states 'or equivalent practical experience,' which would normally yield None — however, the JD also lists a specific degree as the primary stated requirement and only appends the equivalency as a parenthetical. Treated as a Bachelors hard requirement given the explicit listing under minimum qualifications.
ITAR eligibility (U.S. citizenship or protected individual status) is explicitly required, but no specific security clearance level is gated — clearance is not mentioned as a requirement.
Several required skills (satellite systems architecture, space communications, ground station systems, CONOPS, system requirements) are domain competencies rather than named tools or technologies; they are included because the JD gates on them explicitly under minimum qualifications. Generic soft-skill and methodology items (trade studies, technical leadership, proposal writing) were omitted per extraction rules.
Preferred skills (RF payloads, phased array antennas, DSP, software-defined systems, cloud architecture, distributed systems, modeling and simulation) all appear under the 'Preferred Experience' section.
Ignored 3 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): satellite systems architecture, CONOPS development, cloud architecture.
Read the full posting
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