Space System Architect Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

Antwerp Space; Antwerpen; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 150 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Antwerp Space seeks a Space System Engineer specialized in Synthetic Aperture Radar to lead the technical development and integration of next-gen SAR systems. You will steer end-to-end architecture, requirements, and performance modelling while coordinating with RF, digital, analogue hardware, software, and payload teams.

You will report to the System Engineering lead and collaborate with multi-disciplinary colleagues across an ambitious European space program.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience in hardware systems engineering for radar/SAR.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and space industry practices.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and architectural decisions.

Responsabilités

• Define end-to-end SAR system architecture for spaceborne platforms.
• Translate customer needs into technical subsystem specifications.
• Develop budgets and conduct SAR performance analyses.
• Support pre-development, proposals, and subcontractor evaluations.
• Document analyses, specifications, budgets, tests, and design descriptions.
• Coordinate with customers, vendors, and project teams across disciplines.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and present findings.

Connaissances

System architecture

Radar / SAR domain

Requirements engineering

Leadership

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Formation

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering / Physics / Space Engineering

PhD in related field (preferred)

Outils

MATLAB

Python

Description du poste

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.

The company employs highly skilled engineers and technicians from all over the world, the majority of whom hold an engineering degree, with strong expertise in the areas of digital signal processing, hardware and software design, as well as in project management and technical leadership.

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 seeking a skilled system architect to spearhead the technical development and integration of our next-generation of Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. In this role you will be the technical cornerstone of the SAR projects, translating the needs of the customer to the robust, scalable, and high-performance SAR architectures. You will collaborate and guide multi-disciplinary teams across RF, digital and analogue hardware, software and firmware, and payload integration to bring state-of-the-art radar imaging capabilities to life. 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 Synthetic Aperture Radar area, your expected key responsibilities will be:

• System architecture and design: Define the end-to-end system architecture for spaceborne SAR systems, 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.
• Performance modelling: Develop and maintain system level budgets (link budgets, engineering and technical budgets, data rates, etc.) and utilize simulation tools to predict and validate SAR imaging performance.
• Pre-development phase support & proposal preparation: Provide support for spaceborne SAR 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.
• Signal Processing Strategy: Define the architecture for onboard or ground-based SAR signal processing, including image formation algorithms (e.g., Range-Doppler, Omega-K) and calibration techniques.
• 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 hardware systems engineering (academic studies included), preferably in radio, radar, or phased array systems on radar system design and architecture.
• 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 radar domain and specifically for active microwave or SAR payloads is an asset.
• Experience with satellite payload integration and understanding of the orbital space environment.
• Proficiency in mathematical modelling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python) for radar performance analysis.
• Experience transitioning radar systems from R&D into high-volume manufacturing or operational deployment.
• Willingness to travel.
• 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.