Space System Architect Signal Intelligence (SIGINT)

Antwerp Space; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Professional development

International projects

Job summary

Antwerp Space is seeking a Space SigInt System Architect to drive the technical vision and end-to-end design of orbital intelligence-gathering systems. You will be the primary technical authority for SIGINT payloads, bridging RF, DSP, and spacecraft integration.

You will lead system architecture, requirements, and geolocation strategies, work with cross-functional teams, and support proposals and design reviews in a dynamic, international environment.

Qualifications

• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical/Space Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in space/defence systems engineering focusing on SIGINT/EW/RF payloads.

Responsibilities

• Define payloads and end-to-end system architecture for SigInt in LEO/MEO/GEO.
• Lead elicitation and flow-down of mission requirements into detailed specs.
• Lead conceptualization of RF receiver chains, antennas, and DSP units.
• Architect signal detection and high-precision geolocation across multi-satellite constellations.
• Support pre-development and proposals; evaluate subcontractor proposals.
• Generate and maintain analyses, specifications, budgets, test procedures and reports.
• Coordinate with customers, vendors, and engineering teams across lifecycle.
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

English proficiency

Education

Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering / Space Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

PyTorch/TensorFlow

Job description

About Antwerp Space

Antwerp Space is a leading Belgian space engineering company and an industrial player well-recognized by the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Antwerp Space has an established presence in the European space market and in several cases is taking the lead in technically complex space projects, supported by a consortium of partners from all over Europe.

OHB SE Group

Antwerp Space is part of the OHB SE group, one of Europe’s success stories in the field of contemporary space. Today it can call itself the third largest space group in Europe. The OHB SE group has been growing at a steady pace over the last three decades and its footprint in Europe has continuously expanded. Nowadays, there are subsidiaries in Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Luxembourg, Greece, the Czech Republic and Belgium. Despite its size, OHB SE is still a family business, run by the Fuchs family.

Who are we looking for?

We are searching for an innovative and highly experienced Space SigInt System Architect to drive the technical vision and end-to-end design of our orbital intelligence-gathering systems. You will be the primary technical authority for our SIGINT satellite payloads, responsible for translating mission parameters into viable, high-performance space architectures. In this role, you will bridge the gap between RF engineering, digital signal processing, orbital mechanics, and satellite bus integration. You’ll be reporting to the System Engineering team lead, project teams, and collaborating with colleagues from the operational department.

As a Space System Engineer specializing in SigInt area, your expected key responsibilities will be:

• System architecture and design: Define both the payloads and the end-to-end system architecture for spaceborne SigInt systems in LEO, MEO, and GEO environments, ensuring optimal assessment and trade-offs (resolution and SW&P(C) to name a few) of subsystem concepts across feasibility and pre-development studies.
• Requirements engineering and management: Lead the elicitation and flow-down of high-level mission and user requirements into detailed technical subsystem specifications.
• Payload engineering: Lead the conceptualization and specification of spaceborne RF receiver chains, wideband antennas, and onboard digital signal processing (DSP) units.
• Geolocation and processing strategy: Architect the system-level approach to signal detection, classification, and high-precision geolocation using techniques such as Time of Arrival (TOA) and Frequency of Arrival (FOA) across multi-satellite constellations.
• Pre-development phase support & proposal preparation: Provide support for spaceborne SigInt projects from the pre-development phase up to spacecraft integration, working closely with project leaders and business development. Moreover, you will assist in the preparation of proposals and evaluate subcontractor proposals to ensure the feasibility and success of projects.
• Documentation: Generate and maintain documentation, including analyses, specifications, engineering and technical budgets, test procedures, reports, and design descriptions.
• Coordination and collaboration: Coordinate technical aspects with customers, vendors, subcontractors, project teams, space system engineering, and other divisions. Moreover, you will provide technical direction to engineering teams (Hardware, Software, Firmware, AIT) throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept design to integration and testing.
• Design reviews and technical presentations: Lead internal and external technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) with stakeholders, management, and customers.

Mandatory Requirements

• Eligible for an EU security clearance (EU citizen, or eligible for citizenship and living in the EU for at least 10 years.
• Candidates currently living outside Belgium will only be considered if they are willing to relocate to Belgium before the start of their contract. Relocation is a prerequisite for employment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Dutch and French is an asset.

Required technical competences and practical needs

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Space Engineering, Signal Processing or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in space or defense systems engineering, with a focus specifically on SIGINT, Electronic Warfare (EW), or RF payload architecture for space environments.
• Deep understanding of RF spectrum analysis and modern digital modulation schemes.
• Familiarity with software-defined radio (SDR) architectures and high-speed data converters (ADCs/DACs) suited for space.
• Working knowledge of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards, alongside an understanding of commercial/NewSpace practices.
• Professional experience in phase B/C/D in Navigation, Radar, or Communication projects is an asset.
• Experience with satellite payload integration and understanding of the orbital space environment.
• Knowledge of advanced antenna designs (e.g., phased arrays, deployable reflectors) for space applications.
• Familiarity with implementing Machine Learning/AI algorithms for autonomous on-orbit signal/jamming detection and classification.
• Proficiency in mathematical modelling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python) for radar performance analysis.
• Proficiency in artificial intelligence and machine learning frameworks for RF SigInt (e.g., PyTorch/TensorFlow) is an added value.
• Experience with both (commercial) off-the-shelf SigInt systems and transitioning SigInt systems from R&D into high-volume manufacturing or operational deployment.
• Willingness to travel.

Expected soft skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, resolve complex engineering conflicts, and make critical architectural decisions.
• Experience in dealing with customers and vendors is advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills with a high degree of flexibility.
• Team player who can work effectively both independently and in large projects.

What we can offer you

• A multicultural environment. You’ll be working in an international environment with colleagues from all over the world.
• A strong corporate culture. Our company is based on strong values: respect, trust, personal development and well-being.
• Professional development. You’ll get the chance to learn, to share your expertise, to develop your skills and contribute to high-level, international projects in a high-tech environment.
• Salary package. A very attractive salary package including numerous fringe benefits. The main job location is Antwerpen (Hoboken) - Belgium, though, short-term missions abroad are part of this challenging job environment.

Come and explore Antwerp Space

At Antwerp Space we treasure our human capital. From the moment you get on board until retirement, we will be at your side to make sure you feel at home and you get the chance to travel all the way through Antwerp Space, developing yourself and growing together.

As a company with a passion for innovation, we want to create a dynamic, open and enriching environment for people, where people are passionate about their work and exchange ideas & expertise.

Moreover, we understand the need for a healthy working environment and we focus on the employee’s well-being, offering amongst others fruit@work, yoga, ergonomic advice, and many other initiatives. We also focus on a good work-life balance, offering flexible working hours and additional holidays. Each year a number of events are organized to emphasize that it is important to have fun, relax and create a good team spirit.