RF Engineer (Repeater Engineering & Operation, Terrestrial Ops)
Who We Are:
SiriusXM and its brands (Pandora, SXM Media, AdsWizz, Simplecast, and SiriusXM Connected Vehicle Services) are leading a new era of audio entertainment and services by delivering the most compelling subscription and ad-supported audio entertainment experience for listeners -- in the car, at home, and anywhere on the go with connected devices. Our vision is to shape the future of audio, where everyone can be effortlessly connected to the voices, stories and music they love wherever they are.
This is the place where a diverse group of emerging talent and legends alike come to share authentic and purposeful songs, stories, sounds and insights through some of the best programming and technology in the world. Our critically-acclaimed, industry-leading audio entertainment encompasses music, sports, comedy, news, talk, live events, and podcasting. No matter their individual role, each of our employees plays a vital part in bringing SiriusXM’s vision to life every day.
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America, and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. SiriusXM’s platforms collectively reach approximately 150 million listeners, the largest digital audio audience across paid and free tiers in North America, and deliver music, sports, talk, news, comedy, entertainment and podcasts. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM's subsidiaries Simplecast and AdsWizz make it a leader in podcast hosting, production, distribution, analytics and monetization. The Company’s advertising sales organization, which operates as SXM Media, leverages its scale, cross-platform sales organization and ad tech capabilities to deliver results for audio creators and advertisers. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers.
How you’ll make an impact:
The RF Engineer will assist with laboratory validation of new terrestrial repeater equipment including regression testing of associated software pursuant to authorizing it’ for use in production Broadcast systems. The RF Engineer will create and execute the required Test Procedures, Acceptance Test Plans, and test reports for approval by Sr. Management. As a member of SiriusXM’s Terrestrial Repeater Engineering team, the RF Engineer will work closely with the Repeater Operations, National Repeater Control Center, ASIC Design, Broadcast Network teams and equipment vendors to ensure next generation equipment designs and new software releases meet requirements and remain on schedule.
What you’ll do:
Generalized activities (routine):
Compile system requirements and create specifications for broadcast infrastructure.
Develop system specifications and requirements for new network equipment as required.
Prepare and review SOWs and acceptance criteria for new Broadcast products.
Participate with the validation of new broadcast products having hardware implementations using a combination of FPGAs, embedded µPs, or DSPs.
Participate with the validation of new broadcast products having software implementations using Linux OS for Operational control and UDP and TCP/IP communication interfaces for data streaming and telemetry.
Document and publish test results requiring prolonged use of computer-based tools.
Train junior engineers on testing requirements and provide detail understanding of the test results.
Interpret, assimilate, and summarize large volumes of technical test results including creation of formal test reports.
Formulate conclusions, recommendations, and executive summaries from test reports.
Lab Days (re-occurring activities):
Report to the Fredericksburg, VA five days a week.
Setup and monitoring lab test equipment pursuant to completing required test plans.
Re-configure test bench interconnection wiring and calibration of test equipment.
Lifting of equipment weighing up to 55lbs from floor level and placing it into telecommunications racks or test bench/shelf positions at heights of up to 5.5 ft.
Coordinate and assist with the integration and interconnection of new equipment into reference test platforms inclusive of drafting procedures to enable same work by others.
Field Testing & Vendor Visits (transient activities):
Travel to remote offices and/or vendor locations (domestic or international).
Travel to repeater sites within Continental US and Canada inclusive of accessing fielded repeater hardware and infrastructure to set up test equipment, perform tests, record data, and break-down test equipment. Fielded equipment is in a variety of locations including telecommunications compounds, interior spaces with elevator access, and open rooftops with a mixture of elevator and walk-up access.
Ascend/descend up to 6 flights of stairs while transporting up to 25lbs of equipment either by directly carrying or with mechanical assistance of hand trucks, dollies, etc.
Ascend/descend steep “ships” ladders up to 15’ high to access tiered rooftops with SXM’s equipment.
How often you’ll do it:
Generalized activities: every day
Lab Days: 2 days per week on average
Field Testing & Vendor visits: 5-15 days on average per year spread across 1–3-day instances.
What you’ll need:
Good public speaking and presentation skills.
Interpersonal skills and ability to interact and work with staff at all levels.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to pay attention to details and be organized.
Ability to project professionalism over the phone and in person.
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to “internal client” and customer service principles.
Willingness to take initiative and to follow through on projects.
Spelling, grammar, proofreading and editing skills.
Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task, and work under shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to discern colors for identification and interpretation of wiring harnesses and labels.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
7+ years relevant post-graduate experience
Requirements and General Skills:
The candidate must possess a comprehensive understanding of satellite communications including digital communications with expertise in QPSK and COFDM systems, RF engineering with expertise in S, X-band, and KU transmission equipment, transmission line theory, satellite link budgets, baseband and RF test equipment.
The candidate must have an in-depth knowledge of terrestrial broadcast antennas, RF transmission systems.
Experience with network monitoring, surveillance, and control including routing protocols, and experience with TCP/IP network configuration and administration.
Knowledge of application-level protocols such as SNMP, telnet, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, DHCP, DNS
Knowledge of UDP, unicast and multicast.
Ability to multitask and manage time effectively.
Proficient in lab equipment such as spectrum analyzer, network analyzer and network monitoring tool such as Wireshark or equivalent.
Thorough knowledge of MS-Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
Must have legal right to work in the U.S.
Our goal at SiriusXM is to provide and maintain a work environment that fosters mutual respect, professionalism and cooperation. SiriusXM is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
The requirements and duties described above may be modified or waived by the Company in its sole discretion without notice.
R-2023-09-30