Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

Iridium is seeking a motivated Principal Switch Engineer to join our Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V) Team. As a Principal Switch Engineer, you'll be responsible for the research, development, testing, and sustaining engineering activities of the Iridium services and ground infrastructure. In this role, your primary focus will be requirements analysis, development of test plans, procedures, test execution, analysis, debugging and test reporting. You'll be successful in this role if you are able to create reliable and robust products, are interested in the long-term success of your work, and are highly self-reliant.

What You'll Do:

Configure, modify, and maintain Mobile Switching Center (MSC); create and modify digit translation, global title routing, route analysis, end of selection, GSM protocols, and SS7/ISUP protocols
• Perform real-time and post real-time system analysis and turn results into meaningful information, such as root cause analysis and trending analysis for the ground segment of the Iridium network
• Identify, develop, and enhance processes, procedures, tools and/or scripts to maximize system uptime and operational efficiency
• Decompose requirements into verifiable test objectives and Develop Test plans/procedures
• Develop, execute, and enhance test procedures and Analyze test results; generate and present reports based on test execution and analysis

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience in configuring, modifying and maintaining a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) is required; experience with Ericsson GSM MSC is highly desirable
• Experience creating and modifying digit translation, global title routing, route analysis, end of selection, GSM protocols, and SS7/ISUP protocols
• Experience with laboratory test equipment (network analyzers, state machine driven traffic simulators, protocol analyzers, etc.)
• Knowledgeable of Linux and/or Unix operating systems
• Experience in operating and maintaining high-availability software and hardware systems
• Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems and to prioritize and organize diverse workflows involving multiple inter-related parallel efforts
• Demonstrated systems integration and troubleshooting skills
• Experience with test automation systems development
• The ability to produce, update, and maintain technical product documentation and conduct on-site customer acceptance tests
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey to both engineers and management, a range of behaviors and factors as they relate to issues and performance clearly and confidently
• The ability to build meaningful relationships with others, be comfortable providing constructive feedback to your team members and management, and leadership and mentoring your team
• The ability to analyze a situation or problem, generate effective solutions, and see those solutions through to completion
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks and managing shifting priorities and possess a drive for continuous innovation, adding value, and reducing cycle time/costs

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Experience with testing methodologies, analysis processes and procedures; Wireshark or other protocol analyzers and test simulators
• Experience developing software in C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Perl, TCL, shell programming and/or other computer languages
• Exposure to using databases such as Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server
• Knowledgeable about machine virtualization, specifically VMware Desktop and ESXi
• Knowledgeable with software management tools (JIRA, Bamboo, etc.)
• Experience with Government customers in a classified environment
• Exposure to Agile software development process

We'll Also Need You To:

• Willing and able to travel up to 15 days annually
• Willing and able to be on-call to support operational issues
• Due to ITAR, US Citizenship is required

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.