Senior Space SDR Lead

Senior Space SDR Lead

ARQUIMEA

Madrid, Spain

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Electronics Engineer to lead the design and development of a high-performance Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform for our LEO satellite constellation. This role is at the core of our space communications payload strategy and will involve full ownership of the SDR architecture, from system definition to hardware realization and qualification.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced electronics in a mixed-signal high-frequency domain, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as high-speed ADC/DACs, Versal SoCs, and SpaceVPX-based architectures.

Tasks to be performed:

• Lead the end-to-end development of a high-performance SDR for space applications in a LEO constellation.
• Architect mixed-signal RF electronics systems, including analog front-ends, high-speed digital interfaces, and signal processing paths.
• Select and integrate high-bandwidth ADC/DAC components and define associated analog signal conditioning stages.
• Design and validate electronic architectures based on SpaceVPX standards.
• Drive the integration of SoC platforms, ideally Xilinx Versal, for real-time processing and control.
• Ensure system-level performance (linearity, noise, bandwidth, power, thermal) meets stringent payload specifications.
• Support board-level design, simulation, schematic capture, and layout supervision.
• Define test plans and support unit-level and system-level verification and qualification campaigns.
• Collaborate with firmware, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering teams across the entire development lifecycle.
• Document technical designs and present to internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Required skills, experience and candidate profile:

• Master's or PhD in Electronics, Telecommunications, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in RF/mixed-signal electronics for space or high-reliability environments.
• Strong background in high-frequency analog and digital design, including RF front-ends and signal conditioning.
• Deep knowledge of high-speed ADCs and DACs (GHz-class) and mixed-signal design techniques.
• Proven experience designing to SpaceVPX or equivalent ruggedized standards.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx (preferably Versal) or similar SoC/FPGA platforms.
• Familiarity with ECSS, IPC and MIL-STD qualification standards for space.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• EU or NATO-friendly citizenship preferred (due to export control constraints).

Nice to Have:

• Previous experience with telecom payloads or SDRs in LEO or GEO missions.
• Familiarity with digital beamforming or phased array antenna control.
• Background in signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC for space hardware.
• Knowledge of board-level design software (Altium, Mentor, etc.).

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