5G NTN Payload Engineer - Space & Ground Systems

ATG Europe Ltd.; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ATG Science & Engineering S.L. is seeking a senior 5G Payload Engineer to design, implement and validate a full 5G NTN network for satellite-ground systems at Arganda del Rey (Madrid) or Noordwijk.

You will develop DSP algorithms, model prototypes in MATLAB, and collaborate across payload, software, and systems teams to deliver end-to-end solutions. The role requires advanced degrees, 5+ years in the field, strong 5G/N RTR knowledge, and experience with LEO/NTN integrations.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in DSP algorithm design for wireless-communication systems, ideally involving 5G NR, satellite communications or advanced radio systems.
• Expertise in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), ASIC technology, active antenna, on‑board digital processors, software‑defined radio payloads and 5G NB-IoT standard.
• Experience with LEO, satellite communications, NTN, or space to ground network integration.
• Strong knowledge of digital-communications theory, including modulation, coding, synchronisation, channel estimation, equalisation, beamforming and MIMO.
• Knowledge of 5G PHY and Low-PHY processing.
• Experience with 3GPP specifications and Non-Terrestrial Networks, including satellite communications and architectures trade-offs.
• Experience with 3GPP release 19, 5G NR NTN, satellite waveforms, link-budget constraints and propagation effects.
• 3GPP Release 17 NTN behaviors from a network integration perspective, including attach, registration, bearer setup, user plane, mobility, and service continuity.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams involving payload, software, systems engineering, ground segment and platform.
• Experience with High-Level Synthesis and FPGA implementation constraints is an asset.
• Knowledge of satellite payload architectures, digital or regenerative payloads and baseband processing is an asset.
• Knowledge of radio-transceiver architectures and complete baseband-processing chains is an asset.
• Knowledge of secured systems for satellite communications is an asset.
• Experience in real-time implementation, fixed-point modelling, hardware acceleration or embedded optimisation is an asset.
• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the EU.
• Candidates must have or be eligible to obtain Personal Security Clearance (PSC) up to ESA SECRET / EU SECRET.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Due date: 2026-11-06

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement a 5G NTN network from satellite, including the flight and ground segment components, in a secured environment.
• Design and develop digital signal-processing algorithms for 5G wireless and satellite-communication systems.
• Define, model and simulate algorithmic prototypes in MATLAB or equivalent environments.
• Collaborate with payload, systems and software teams, including High-Level Synthesis workflows where applicable.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define upcoming solutions for SAT network architecture.
• Preparation of reviews for payload design, manufacturing, acceptance and testing, working closely with the platform and systems teams.
• Develop end-to-end simulations, reference models and payload-processing chains for 5G NR and future NTN capabilities.
• Integrate and validate end to end network connectivity across Open RAN, gNodeB, 5G Core, IMS, transport, and LEO satellite test systems.
• Partner with RF, modem, payload, Core, RAN, software, and systems teams to define the overall system architecture, implementation, test and operations from ambiguous system behavior to clear resolver ownership.
• Validate and optimise performance across representative channel models, test vectors and operational scenarios.
• Validate VoNR and IMS call flows, including registration, SIP signalling, media path, QoS, emergency call behavior where applicable, and failure recovery.
• Support trade-off analyses involving latency, throughput, processing capacity, robustness and implementation constraints.
• Contribute to verification and validation activities, technical documentation and formal reviews.
• Interface with internal teams, subcontractors and industrial partners on DSP, PHY-layer implementation and payload processing.
• Support technical meetings, reviews and coordination sessions with partners and institutions; occasional travel may be required.

Skills

DSP design

5G NR

Satellite comms

MATLAB

FPGA

HLS

System integration

Education

Master's or PhD in Telecommunications/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

HDL (VHDL/Verilog)

FPGA toolchain

Job description

ATG Science & Engineering S.L. is seeking a senior 5G Payload Engineer to design, implement and validate a full 5G NTN network for satellite-ground systems at Arganda del Rey (Madrid) or Noordwijk.

You will develop DSP algorithms, model prototypes in MATLAB, and collaborate across payload, software, and systems teams to deliver end-to-end solutions. The role requires advanced degrees, 5+ years in the field, strong 5G/N RTR knowledge, and experience with LEO/NTN integrations.