Space System Engineer: Communications Subsystems (COMS) System Architect

Antwerp Space; Antwerpen; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Antwerp Space seeks a System Architect for Communications Subsystems (COMS) to lead end‑to‑end design and integration of RF payloads for LEO/MEO/GEO satellite constellations and deep-space missions.

You will define spacecraft communication architectures, manage requirements, budgets, and trade studies, and lead reviews from concept to flight readiness.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Physics, Space Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of ECSS standards and NewSpace practices.
• Minimum of 3 years in space systems engineering focusing on communications subsystems.

Responsabilités

• Define COMS system architecture for spaceborne payloads in LEO, MEO, and GEO.
• Lead requirements elicitation and flow-down to detailed subsystem specs.
• Develop budgets and conduct trade studies for space-to-ground and ISL links.
• Support pre-development phase and proposals, evaluating subcontractor proposals.
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) with stakeholders and customers.

Connaissances

Team leadership

System architecture

Requirements engineering

English fluency

RF/microwave knowledge

MATLAB/Python

Travel willingness

Formation

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Space Engineering or related field

Outils

MATLAB

Python

Description du poste

As the System Architect for Communications Subsystems, you will lead the end-to-end design, development, and integration of advanced radio frequency (RF) communication payloads for next-generation LEO, MEO, GEO satellite constellations and deep space exploration missions. You will be the technical authority defining how spacecrafts talk to Earth and to each other, ensuring high data rates, robust links, and survival in the harsh radiation environment of space.

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 the Communication Subsystems (COMS) area, your expected key responsibilities will be:

• System architecture and design: Define COMS system architecture for spaceborne payloads in LEO, MEO, and GEO environments, ensuring optimal assessment and trade-offs of subsystem concepts across feasibility and pre-development studies up to the critical design review and flight.
• Requirements engineering and management: Lead the elicitation and flow-down of high-level mission and user requirements into detailed technical subsystem specifications.
• Technical budgets and trade studies: Develop and maintain complex engineering budgets (link budgets, time-transfer breakdown, etc.) for space-to-ground/ground-to-space and inter-satellite links (ISL). Conduct technical trade-offs for hardware selection, focusing on SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) optimization.
• Pre-development phase support & proposal preparation: Provide support for spaceborne COMS 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.
• Standardization: Ensure subsystem designs comply with international space communication standards (e.g., CCSDS, ECSS, or ITU regulations)
• 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, Telecommunications, Physics, Space Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards, alongside an understanding of commercial/NewSpace practices.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in space systems engineering, with a focus specifically on communications subsystems and communications projects
• Working knowledge of European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards, alongside an understanding of commercial / New Space practices.
• Demonstratable experience in designing and delivering RF or microwave communication systems for space applications.
• Familiarity and understanding of modulation techniques, error-correcting codes (e.g., LDPC, raptor, turbo, polar codes, etc.).
• Familiarity with RF hardware components (antennas, filters, LNAs, SSPAs, TWTAs)
• Proficiency in simulation and modelling tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Background in Software-Defined Radios (SDR) and digital payload processing is beneficial.
• Professional experience in phase B/C/D in Communication projects is an asset.
• Experience with satellite payload integration and understanding of the orbital space environment.
• Willingness to travel.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, resolve complex engineering conflicts, and make critical architectural decisions.
• 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.