(Senior) Engineer, UHF Payload Systems, IRIS2

SES Satellites; Unterföhring; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Satellites in Unterföhring is seeking a Senior UHF Payload Systems Engineer to lead technical definitions and validation for UHF services in the IRIS² program. You will contribute to the end-to-end MEO UHF service architecture and interface with various stakeholders in satellite payload design.

The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field and a minimum of 5 years in satellite communications or UHF services, with strong system engineering skills. This role requires a balance of onsite and remote work.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in satellite communications with strong focus on UHF payloads.
• Proven experience in satellite payload integration and system engineering.
• Eligibility for a 'SECRET' security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Define end‑to‑end MEO UHF service architecture.
• Translate UHF mission requirements into specifications.
• Perform system-level performance analyses for UHF services.
• Contribute to design trade-offs and payload architecture.
• Support integration and validation activities for UHF services.

Skills

UHF satcom system development

RF system design

Satellite payload integration

Simulation tools (MATLAB, Python)

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Telecommunications, RF Engineering, Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Senior Engineer, UHF Payload Systems, IRIS2

We are seeking a Senior UHF Payload Systems Engineer to lead the technical definition, de‑risking, and validation of UHF services hosted on MEO satellites within the IRIS² programme. Within the IRIS² MEO Space Segment team, the incumbent will contribute to the definition of the end‑to‑end MEO UHF service architecture by developing space segment technical specifications as well as satcom system analyses for the end‑to‑end service. The position requires a strong system engineering mindset, combining RF and satcom expertise with experience in satellite payload design and testing, ideally in UHF satcom systems.

Primary Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Contribute to the definition of the end‑to‑end MEO UHF service architecture
• Translate UHF mission and service requirements into system and payload‑level specifications accounting for satellite constellation constraints
• Contribute to design trade‑offs (coverage, power, SWaP, performance) and payload architecture
• Perform system‑level performance analyses for UHF services
• Define interfaces with spacecraft platform, main payload, user ground segment and mission control segment
• Interface with payload providers, terminal vendors, and subsystem suppliers for statement of work negotiation, technical specifications and test plans
• Define and support integration, verification, and validation (IVV) activities for UHF services (unit‑level testing, payload AIT, IOT)
• Contribute to development of simulation tools and digital twins for payload performance and IVV

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in Telecommunications, RF Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in satellite communications, with strong focus on UHF payloads or satcom services
• Proven experience with:
  • UHF satcom system development and/or deployment (highly desirable)
  • RF system design, link budget analysis, and antenna systems
  • Satellite payload integration and system engineering
  • Simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, RF tools)

Key Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of:
  • Satellite link budgets and propagation effects
  • Mobility, Doppler, and NGSO system behaviours
• Knowledge of UHF satcom systems and waveforms, e.g. STANAG 4681, MIL‑STD‑188

Key Personal Attributes

• Strong creative engineering mindset
• Excellent stakeholder management across multi‑partner environments
• Structured, analytical, and solution‑oriented approach

Other Key Requirements / Comments

• The candidate must be eligible for a “SECRET” security clearance, in accordance with the national regulations as well as EU/ESA/NATO equivalents
• Willing to work 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.