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

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

SES

Betzdorf, Luxembourg

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).