(Senior) Satcom System Engineer (5G NTN), IRIS2

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SES seeks a Senior Satcom System Engineer to lead the design and delivery of a MEO satellite constellation for 5G NTN under the IRIS² program. The role spans space, ground and user segments, requiring system requirements, link budgets and performance validation, with cross-domain coordination among RF, payload, spacecraft, ground and software teams. It focuses on 3GPP Rel-17/18 NTN compliance, V&V, CONOPS and constellation management. You will mentor engineers, interface with customers and partners, and manage technical risks throughout the program. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in SATCOM, MEO/LEO experience, NTN exposure, and are willing to work onsite 60% with ESA/EU SECRET readiness. To apply, tailor your CV to show end-to-end ownership, relevant modeling and on-orbit experience, plus leadership and communication skills and travel willingness.

Senior Satcom System Engineer (5G NTN), IRIS2

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
IRIS² is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

SES – together with other consortium partners and core members - was selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS² multi-orbit satellite constellation. 
The IRIS² team enters the next project phase and there is a strong need for support for all the activities around service provisioning and products that the system can offer in the future. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a Senior System SATCOM Engineer to play a key role in the design, integration, and delivery of a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation and its associated ground system. The program delivers broadband services using 3GPP 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for user links, requiring close coordination across space, ground, and terrestrial network domains.
This role sits at the system level and is ideal for an engineer who enjoys owning end-to-end technical performance, driving requirements, and solving complex cross-domain problems.

AS A SENIOR SATCOM SYSTEM ENGINEER (5G NTN), IRIS2, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO : 

•    Contribute to the system-level architecture and design for a MEO satellite communications system, including space segment, ground segment, and user segment
•    Define system requirements across satellites, gateways, network functions, and terminals
•    Develop and validate link budgets and performance analyses for MEO orbits, including latency, Doppler, handover, and availability
•    Support integration of 5G NTN user links in compliance with 3GPP standards (e.g., Rel-17/18)
•    Collaborate with RF, payload, spacecraft, ground infrastructure, and software teams to ensure cohesive system performance
•    Support ground system design, including gateways, mission control, and interfaces to terrestrial networks
•    Define and execute system verification and validation (V&V) strategies, including simulations, test campaigns
•    Analyze operational concepts (CONOPS) for network operations, mobility management, beam hopping, and constellation management
•    Identify and manage technical risks, performance margins, and trade studies across the program lifecycle
•    Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers and cross-functional teams
•    Interface with customers, partners, and external stakeholders on system design and performance topics
In the execution of these tasks, you will be supported by experts from the Project team.

COMPETENCIES
•    Direct experience with 3GPP 5G NTN standards and their practical implementation
•    Familiarity with core network functions (UPF, AMF, SMF), RAN concepts, and network slicing
•    Experience integrating satellite systems with terrestrial telecom networks
•    Knowledge of regulatory and spectrum considerations for satellite systems
•    Experience with system modeling tools (e.g., STK, MATLAB, custom simulations)
•    Prior involvement in on-orbit testing or operational satellite networks

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
•    Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field
•    8+ years of experience in SATCOM system engineering, with demonstrated ownership of complex systems
•    Strong understanding of satellite communications architectures, including space and ground segments
•    Experience with MEO and/or LEO constellations, including constellation dynamics and handover concepts
•    Solid knowledge of 5G or LTE networking principles, particularly as applied to NTN or hybrid networks
•    Proficiency in link analysis, system modeling, and performance trade studies
•    Experience working across the full program lifecycle (requirements, design, integration, test, and operations)

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS 
•    Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personal security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such a clearance
•    Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
•    Travel as required for project realization purposes

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

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

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