Principal Satellite Telecommunication Payload Engineer

Principal Satellite Telecommunication Payload Engineer

Eutelsat Group

Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France

Who You’ll Be:

As Principal Satellite Telecommunications Payload Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end technical management of satellite telecommunications payloads — from defining mission and system requirements to design, assembly, integration, testing, and in-orbit validation.

This role requires strong expertise in RF and digital payload technologies, including active antennas, high-power RF chains, and on-board digital processors for flexible and efficient communication architectures.

You will work closely with system engineers, suppliers, and project teams to ensure payload performance, schedule adherence, and compliance with quality and reliability requirements across GEO and LEO programs.

In addition, you will act as the interface for payload units procurement and supplier performance, ensuring that the individual hardware units (i.e., amplifiers, filter banks, digital processors) meet mission-level quality, cost and schedule targets.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee the full lifecycle of telecommunications payloads, from concept definition to in-orbit validation;
• Translate mission and system requirements into payload technical specifications, performance budgets, and interface documentation;
• Lead technical reviews and design evaluations with satellite manufacturers, ensuring the payload design meets RF, digital, and system performance objectives;
• Analyse and optimize payload architecture, including RF distribution, frequency conversion, linearity, and gain budgets;
• Follow up payload design, manufacturing, and AIT activities, providing technical support and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements;
• Conduct performance analyses and assessments of innovative payload technologies such as on-board processors, beam-forming networks, and software-defined radios (SDR);
• Participate in ground testing and in-orbit testing (IOT) to validate payload performance and ensure operational readiness;
• Propose solutions for the resolution of technical anomalies during integration, testing, and operational phases;
• Monitor industry evolution in telecom payload technologies, digital signal processing, and active antenna systems, contributing to the definition of future satellite missions;
• Manage the procurement process for payload units: define unit-level specifications (e.g., for RF repeater chains, high-power amplifiers, filter assemblies), support supplier selection, oversee manufacturing progress, perform technical and quality audits of suppliers, and ensure unit-level deliverables align with mission deadlines and budgets;
• Interface with supply chain, quality and contracts teams to ensure unit cost-effectiveness, technical compliance, Make/Buy decisions, and supplier risk mitigation;
• Monitor supplier performance and unit reliability post-delivery, liaising with operations teams to track in-orbit unit health and support on-orbit anomaly resolution;
• Collaborate with program management and procurement teams to ensure technical compliance, schedule control, and risk mitigation;
• Stay abreast of satellite, processed payload (including active antennas) and communications technology and architectures.

What it Takes: 

• University degree in Telecommunications, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (Master’s or PhD preferred);
• 10+ years of experience in satellite telecommunications payload engineering, including design, development, and in-orbit validation;
• Proven experience in GEO and/or LEO payload design, encompassing analog and digital subsystems;
• Strong knowledge of RF and microwave engineering, including high-power amplification, frequency conversion, multiplexing, and filtering;
• Experience with digital transparent processors, active antennas, and software-defined payloads;
• Familiarity with payload test methodologies, AIT processes, and in-orbit testing;
• Understanding of space standards and quality systems (ECSS, ISO 9001/AS9100);
• Proficiency in analytical and simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, ADS, HFSS, or equivalent);
• Strong communication and teamwork skills across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); French is a plus;
• Demonstrated experience in procurement or supplier management of space-grade payload units (specification, supplier evaluation, contract interface, unit testing/acceptance);
• Experience working with supply chain and manufacturing partners, including audit, quality assurance, cost-control and supplier performance monitoring;
• Willingness to travel for supplier reviews, technical meetings, and test campaigns.