Overview:
Steely is seeking a highly skilled Senior Satellite Communications Security Research Engineer to support advanced research, vulnerability assessment, and security testing of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems. This role focuses on identifying vulnerabilities across VSAT infrastructure, modem firmware, RF communications systems, and satellite network architectures.
The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in RF engineering, cybersecurity, reverse engineering, software-defined radio technologies, and satellite communications protocols. This position offers the opportunity to perform cutting-edge security research supporting critical government and commercial communications systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct security research and vulnerability assessments of VSAT hardware, satellite modems, teleports, ground stations, and SATCOM network architectures.
- Analyze SATCOM protocols and infrastructure, including DVB-S2, DVB-RCS2, TDMA-based systems, and associated communications technologies.
- Develop and utilize Software Defined Radio (SDR) tools and capabilities to evaluate RF-layer attack vectors, threats, and defensive countermeasures.
- Research vulnerabilities affecting IP networking over satellite links, network data streams, metadata exposure, and side-channel attack vectors.
- Perform red team assessments and reverse engineering of modem firmware, embedded Linux platforms, and satellite communications technologies.
- Design, test, evaluate, and troubleshoot radio frequency and wireless communication systems.
- Conduct protocol analysis, signal characterization, waveform analysis, and RF system testing.
- Support customer missions by providing technical expertise for fielded SATCOM and RF communications environments.
- Provide subject matter expertise across RF engineering, embedded systems, networking, cybersecurity, and satellite communications disciplines.
- Collaborate with engineering leadership on technology roadmaps, research initiatives, and product portfolio development.
- Prepare technical reports, research documentation, testing results, and presentations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Communications Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Candidates must possess a current Secret security clearance or have previously held a Top Secret clearance with current or recent eligibility that is eligible for reinstatement/reactivation.
- Background in computer security, network security, communications security, or information assurance.
- Experience conducting security research involving reverse engineering, firmware analysis, protocol analysis, and vulnerability discovery.
- Demonstrated experience decompiling, disassembling, and analyzing embedded software and hardware systems.
- Significant hands-on experience with RF wireless communications systems, particularly VSAT, SATCOM, or related technologies.
- Strong understanding of satellite communications infrastructure, architectures, and operational environments.
- Deep knowledge of RF waveforms, signal processing pipelines, modulation techniques, and satellite networking protocols.
- Experience specifying, evaluating, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating RF hardware components and systems.
- Advanced proficiency with Software Defined Radios (SDRs), including platforms such as USRP and similar solutions.
- Experience using GNU Radio, MATLAB, or comparable signal processing frameworks to decode, demodulate, manipulate, and analyze RF signals.
- Proficiency with scripting and software development languages including Python, Bash, C/C++, and/or Rust.
- Strong experience working within Linux-based environments and advanced IP networking architectures.
- Excellent written, verbal, and customer-facing communication skills.
- Experience supporting customer operations in remote or field locations.
- Willingness to travel up to 10% in support of customer programs and technical engagements.
Qualifications:
- Active Secret, Top Secret, or TS/SCI security clearance.
- Experience conducting red team or penetration testing activities against RF, wireless, and satellite communications systems.
- Knowledge of modern satellite networking architectures, software-defined networking (SDN), and virtualized ground segment technologies.
- Experience with spectrum analysis, signal intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), or communications intelligence (COMINT) systems.
- Familiarity with commercial and military SATCOM platforms and infrastructure.
- Knowledge of secure software development practices and vulnerability disclosure processes.
- Experience designing and building custom SDR applications and RF testing platforms.