ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Satellite Communication Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Somewear Labs

Firmware Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Firmware Engineer Somewear's software platform and satellite-powered hardware enable commercial and ... Develop and maintain communication protocol stacks across satellite, LTE, Bluetooth, and mesh radio ...

SES

Intern Product & Innovations

Chicago, IL · On-site

... satellite communications, RF systems, or wireless networking. • Ability to follow technical procedures and interpret engineering documentation. • Familiarity or willingness to learn hardware ...

MX1

Intern Product & Innovations

Chicago, IL

Interest in satellite communications, RF systems, or wireless networking. Ability to follow technical procedures and interpret engineering documentation. Familiarity or willingness to learn hardware ...

SES

Intern Product & Innovations

Chicago, IL · On-site

... satellite communications, RF systems, or wireless networking. • Ability to follow technical procedures and interpret engineering documentation. • Familiarity or willingness to learn hardware ...

SES Group Inc

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Principal Systems Engineer Senior Systems Engineer ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY SES Commercial Aviation ... Wireless communication systems and protocols particularly 802.11 and Satellite (MEO, LEO, GEO)

New

MX1

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

Senior Systems Engineer ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY SES Commercial Aviation team has an exciting ... Wireless communication systems and protocols particularly 802.11 and Satellite (MEO, LEO, GEO)

New

SES

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

Senior Systems Engineer ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY SES Commercial Aviation team has an exciting ... Wireless communication systems and protocols particularly 802.11 and Satellite (MEO, LEO, GEO)

New

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Clayco

Field Support Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest ... Satellite communication installation * Basic Knowledge of Cisco AV Room kits (Webex) * Basic ...

Reed Construction

Project Engineer- Interiors

Chicago, IL · On-site

$71.10K - $91.20K/yr

We create value for our clients through communication, collaboration and innovation. Our long term ... Now with a satellite office in Washington, D.C., Reed Construction is continuing to expand its ...

Reed Construction

Project Engineer- Interiors

Chicago, IL · On-site

$71.10K - $91.20K/yr

We create value for our clients through communication, collaboration and innovation. Our long term ... Now with a satellite office in Washington, D.C., Reed Construction is continuing to expand its ...

Hughes

Reliability Analyst - Aerospace

Lisle, IL · On-site

... or satellite communications provider Preferred : • Airline operations exposure in a technical environment (Maintenance / Engineering) • Practical experience with reliability methodologies ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsSatellite Communication Engineer JobsSatellite Communication Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Satellite Communication Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$64.4K

$116.6K

$168.6K

How much do satellite communication engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for satellite communication engineer in Chicago, IL is $116,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,100.00 and $146,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Satellite Communication Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Satellite Communication Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or telecommunications engineering, strong knowledge of RF (radio frequency) principles, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with satellite ground station equipment, modulation/demodulation systems, and industry certifications such as CCNA or SATCOM-specific credentials are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork and communication skills set standout professionals apart. These skills are crucial for designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex satellite communication systems that ensure reliable global connectivity.

What are some common challenges Satellite Communication Engineers face when working with ground station equipment?

Satellite Communication Engineers often encounter challenges such as signal interference, equipment malfunctions, and maintaining reliable connectivity in adverse weather conditions. Troubleshooting these issues requires a strong understanding of RF systems and the ability to collaborate with network and hardware teams. Additionally, staying updated on the latest satellite protocols and regulatory requirements is essential for ensuring compliance and optimal performance. Effective communication with operations and support staff is key to resolving issues quickly and minimizing downtime.

What does a Satellite Communication Engineer do?

A Satellite Communication Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining communication systems that use satellites to transmit and receive data, voice, and video signals. They work on the technical aspects of satellite networks, including uplink and downlink frequencies, modulation schemes, and ground station equipment. Their work ensures reliable and efficient communication for applications such as television broadcasting, internet access, military operations, and disaster response. Satellite Communication Engineers also troubleshoot issues, monitor system performance, and may be involved in the development of new technologies to improve satellite communications.

What is the difference between Satellite Communication Engineer vs Satellite Systems Technician?

AspectSatellite Communication EngineerSatellite Systems Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field; certifications like CCNA, Cisco, or RF certificationsDiploma or associate degree in Electronics or Telecommunications; technical certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and oversee satellite communication systems; often in offices or labsInstall, maintain, and repair satellite equipment; fieldwork and on-site troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsageTelecom companies, satellite service providers, aerospace firmsSatellite service providers, telecom companies, maintenance firms

Satellite Communication Engineers focus on designing and developing satellite systems, requiring higher education and certifications. In contrast, Satellite Systems Technicians handle installation and maintenance tasks, often with technical diplomas. Both roles are essential in the satellite industry but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What are popular job titles related to Satellite Communication Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Satellite Communication Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Satellite Communication Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Satellite Communication Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Satellite Communication Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Satellite Communication Engineer job openings:
Satellite Communication Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Satellite Communication Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 61% Physical, 22% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,557 per year, or $56 per hour.
Firmware Engineer

Firmware Engineer

Somewear Labs

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Firmware Engineer
Somewear's software platform and satellite-powered hardware enable commercial and government teams to maintain situational awareness during high-pressure operations - in any environment. Somewear serves a wide range of customers including helicopter paramedics, backcountry explorers, wildland firefighters, and operators within the US Department of Defense. Our purpose is to build best-in-class solutions that keep people in touch, informed, and safe anywhere in the world.
We're looking for a Firmware Engineer to help push the boundaries of off-grid communication. Working from our San Francisco or Chicago offices, you will work at the intersection of custom hardware, satellite modems, LTE, Bluetooth, mesh networking, and sensors - writing software that directly powers life-saving missions in the most demanding environments on earth.
Join us to make an impact
"Recently, the United States Air National Guard 131st Rescue Squadron successfully employed Somewear's unique ATAK integration to coordinate and monitor a civilian rescue operation 1,200 miles off the U.S. Pacific coast. The consistent communications and situational awareness across rescue personnel, medical personnel, aircrafts, and the operations center led to an efficient rescue mission that took half of the expected time to complete."
What you'll do
  • Write production-quality embedded software in C, C++, and Rust targeting Zephyr RTOS on resource-constrained hardware
  • Own features end-to-end - from technical design through implementation, validation, and field deployment
  • Implement and maintain device drivers for peripherals including GPS/GNSS, cellular modems, satellite transceivers, IMUs, and power management ICs
  • Support board bring-up and hardware validation alongside electrical engineers, including schematic review and signal integrity debugging
  • Develop and maintain communication protocol stacks across satellite, LTE, Bluetooth, and mesh radio links
  • Optimize firmware for power consumption, memory footprint, and real-time performance in battery-operated, thermally constrained deployments
  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, automated test frameworks, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test infrastructure
  • Contribute to secure boot, OTA update mechanisms, and firmware integrity validation
  • Collaborate closely with mobile engineers to evolve application-layer protocols and data synchronization strategies
  • Participate in code reviews, establish engineering standards, and help define best practices for the embedded team
Required Experience
  • 4+ years of professional firmware development on constrained embedded systems (ARM Cortex-M series or equivalent)
  • Proficiency in C and C++; familiarity with Rust or motivation to learn it
  • Hands-on experience with RTOS environments (Zephyr, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, or similar)
  • Strong working knowledge of serial communication protocols: UART, SPI, I²C, USB
  • Experience with wireless protocols - Bluetooth LE, 802.15.4/Zigbee/Thread, or proprietary mesh
  • Comfort debugging at the hardware level using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and power analyzers
  • A genuine passion for reliability and safety in mission-critical systems
Nice to Have
  • Experience with satellite communication modems (Iridium, Orbcomm, Globalstar, or similar)
  • Familiarity with cellular modem integration (LTE-M, NB-IoT, Cat-1)
  • Exposure to mesh networking protocols (Bluetooth mesh, LoRa mesh, or custom RF mesh)
  • Experience with GNSS/GPS receiver integration and multi-constellation positioning
  • Background in defense, aerospace, first responder technology, or other safety-critical domains
  • Knowledge of secure firmware practices: secure boot, code signing, encrypted OTA
  • Experience with HIL testing, pytest-based firmware test frameworks, or similar automated validation tooling
  • Contributions to open-source embedded projects
What you'll love about Somewear
  • A competitive and equitable compensation plan - full-time, salaried with equity
  • Health, dental, and vision benefits
  • Focus Days: No meetings every Monday so you can do your best work
  • Unlimited PTO and flexible parental leave
  • Write firmware that directly impacts mission-critical operations and saves lives
  • Work with an ambitious team solving genuinely hard technical problems
  • Direct access to senior leadership and meaningful influence on engineering culture
  • An authentic investment in you as a human being and your career as a professional

Note: U.S. Persons ONLY. Please only apply if you meet this requirement.

Apply