Senior Principal Engineer - Platform

FADA; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 380,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

FADA is seeking a highly skilled Satellite Platform Engineer to lead the design, integration, and validation of satellite bus systems for advanced missions. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure platform readiness, manage interfaces, and support lifecycle from concept to deployment.

You will oversee ICDs, budgets, and risk, conduct trade studies, contribute to technical proposals, and mentor junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Proficiency in relevant software tools and programming languages.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end system engineering activities for satellite platforms, including requirements definition, architecture design, subsystem integration, and performance analysis.
• Oversee technical coordination across propulsion, power, thermal, avionics, and structural subsystems to ensure platform-level compatibility and mission success.
• Manage interface control documents (ICDs), system budgets (mass, power, data), and verification plans in alignment with mission objectives and customer requirements.
• Conduct trade studies, risk assessments, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to support decision-making and ensure compliance with space standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including payload engineers, mission planners, and ground segment specialists to ensure seamless system integration.
• Work closely with subject matter experts for payloads to ensure platform design supports payload requirements and operational constraints.
• Support launch and early orbit operations (LEOP), anomaly resolution, and post-launch performance evaluations.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools.
• Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during customer engagements and strategic planning.
• Contribute to technical proposals, including system architecture descriptions, compliance matrices, and cost estimates.
• Contribute to and support R&D activities related to satellite platform technologies, including advanced materials, subsystem innovations, and new mission concepts.

Skills

Satellite systems engineering

Systems engineering principles

Requirements definition

Trade studies

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Systems Engineering certification

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

MBSE tools

Job description

External Job Description FADA is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Satellite Platform Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, the candidate will be responsible for leading the design, integration, and validation of satellite bus systems for advanced space missions. He will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure the successful development of the satellites.

External Job Description FADA is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Satellite Platform Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, the candidate will be responsible for leading the design, integration, and validation of satellite bus systems for advanced space missions. He will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure the successful development of the satellites. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing high-performance platform accommodating advanced payloads for satellite systems, localising technologies and knowhow, and managing project timelines, budgets, resources, and risk, and will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery. The Satellite Platform Engineer will report to the VP of Engineering and Capability Development and will work closely with the System Engineer and the Payload Specialists.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end system engineering activities for satellite platforms, including requirements definition, architecture design, subsystem integration, and performance analysis.
• Oversee technical coordination across propulsion, power, thermal, avionics, and structural subsystems to ensure platform-level compatibility and mission success.
• Manage interface control documents (ICDs), system budgets (mass, power, data), and verification plans in alignment with mission objectives and customer requirements.
• Conduct trade studies, risk assessments, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to support decision-making and ensure compliance with space standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including payload engineers, mission planners, and ground segment specialists to ensure seamless system integration.
• Work closely with subject matter experts for payloads to ensure platform design supports payload requirements and operational constraints.
• Support launch and early orbit operations (LEOP), anomaly resolution, and post-launch performance evaluations.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools.
• Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during customer engagements and strategic planning.
• Contribute to technical proposals, including system architecture descriptions, compliance matrices, and cost estimates.
• Contribute to and support R&D activities related to satellite platform technologies, including advanced materials, subsystem innovations, and new mission concepts.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in satellite system engineering, preferably with flight-proven platforms.
• Proven track record of leading successful satellite projects from concept to deployment.
• Extensive experience with satellite design, integration, and testing.
• Strong background in systems engineering principles and practices.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements for satellite systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Proficiency in relevant software tools and programming languages.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.

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