Senior Engineer, Spacecraft Subsystem, Payload

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SES seeks a Senior Engineer, Spacecraft Subsystem, Payload Operations to monitor GEO and MEO health, resolve anomalies, and provide 24/7 on-call support to maximize availability and meet SLA terms. You will own payload operations from RF link budgets and subsystems to performance monitoring, automation, and readiness for new satellites and In Orbit Test programs, including MEO phasing into the constellation. The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in RF satellite engineering, a degree in Electrical/Telecommunications (Masters preferred), strong Python and MATLAB skills, and a proactive, collaborative mindset for a global team. To apply, tailor your CV with specific incidents resolved, on-call metrics, tool development, and examples of improving constellation performance, plus Betzdorf readiness and experience with DSP, phased arrays, and beamforming.

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

As a Senior Payload Engineer, you will be responsible for monitoring satellite health and providing on-call support to resolve spacecraft anomalies, ensuring safe and continuous operations. Your focus will be on maximizing the availability and longevity of our GEO and MEO satellite fleet while ensuring customer satisfaction in alignment with SLA terms.

This role offers the opportunity to tackle complex technical challenges and contribute to the success of satellite missions while enhancing your expertise in the field.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

SES is looking for a talented Spacecraft Engineer responsible for Payload subsystems across the SES fleet of GEO and MEO satellites. If you are searching for an engineering function in an international and dynamic environment and you are interested in taking an essential role in next generation satellite connectivity, you can find it at SES. You will be part of the team in charge of GEO and MEO Payload Engineering, within the Satellite Engineering program. 

In this role, you will be at the forefront of payload in-orbit operations, designing and implementing innovative operational solutions for the SES fleet. Our engineers support satellite mission operations, enhance our performance monitoring and analysis toolkits, and contribute to dynamic end-to-end design solutions.  In our team, engineers develop and operate new payload missions, design contingency scenarios for satellite resiliency, and support new spacecraft procurement, launch and in-obit test characterization. Over time, each team member builds a custom skillset and expertise, across a wide technical breadth, to make an impacting contribution to the success of our missions.

As a Senior Engineer, Spacecraft Subsystem, Payload Operations, you will be responsible to :

• Have a thorough understanding of end-to-end communications link budgets and satellite RF payload subsystems, including the management of all the equipment on board the spacecraft that is required for proper transmission of the customer data and telecommand/telemetered signals
• Monitor health status and provide on-call support for satellites in operation, including recovery and follow-up of eventual spacecraft off-limit conditions, anomalies and service interruptions
• Ensure Customer performance in line with SLA terms, maximize satellite availability and longevity
• Develop new integrated payload applications and tools required for performance monitoring, operation automation, resource optimization and constellation performance
• Lead Payload preparation readiness for new satellite operations, In Orbit Test programs and transition into service, including phasing of MEO satellites into constellation.
• Support the design and procurement of new MEO and GEO satellites including software defined flexible satellites, with advanced functionality digital processing and beamforming.  Contribute to payload subsystem equipment’s and system design reviews, integration, ground and in-orbit testing.
• Work with Adaptive Resource Optimizer and Allocator ground-based software systems to integrate spacecraft payload data models and In-orbit calibration system functionality
• Integrate into the Technology environment, as a payload subject matter expert for payload operations engineers in areas such as dsp, phased arrays, RF analysis & simulation, and link analysis
• Lead development and preparation of operational solutions for customer end-to-end productization, fleet management and spacecraft anomalies and contingency operations

YOUR PROFILE : 

• Degree in Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering (Master’s preferred) with 8–10 years of experience in satellite or RF engineering; exposure to LEO/MEO operations is a plus.
• Knowledge of digital payload technology, phased array operation, and web development is advantageous.
• Proactive self-starter with strong initiative and ability to lead concepts from idea to implementation.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with solid theoretical knowledge applied in practice.
• Expertise in RF payloads, satellite networks, and end-to-end communication systems.
• Skilled in data analysis, trending, warehousing, and acquisition; proficient in Python, Visual Basic, MATLAB, and familiar with machine learning and AI applications.
• Comfortable in Windows/Linux environments, networking, IoT, cloud computing, and distributed systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to work under pressure, provide 24/7 on-call support.
• International mindset and team spirit.
• Ability work on-call

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.