5G Payload Engineer for IRIS²

ATG Europe; 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

We are looking for a 5G Payload Engineer on behalf of and in support to our client for their location in Arganda del Rey (Madrid), Spain or Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

As part of the SpaceRISE consortium, our client plays a central role in the IRIS² programme, leading the design, development and implementation of the ground segment, including the infrastructure needed to manage the constellation and connect it with terrestrial networks. The company is also responsible for service operations, such as defining the service catalogue, establishing procedures and developing delivery models for member states.

In addition, our client leads the Low LEO segment, supporting innovative missions that strengthen the European space ecosystem. To meet its growing responsibilities, the company is progressively building a dedicated IRIS² team, currently composed of more than 40 professionals.

Please note, the successful candidate will be employed by ATG Europe (or one of its subsidiaries). Furthermore, upon selection, they will be subject to a general security screening performed by an external provider (further information will be provided at interview stage).

The successful candidate will be tasked with, but not limited to:

• 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.

At ATG Science & Engineering S.L., we are firmly committed to equal opportunities and respect for diversity. The Equality Plan and active policies promote to foster an inclusive environment, free from discrimination. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, handicap (+33% certificado de discapacidad), or any other reason protected by relevant state or municipal legislation, we are pleased to consider all eligible candidates for employment.

Please ensure that your CV clearly explains how you meet the mandatory requirements. If it doesn’t align completely with the essential criteria, it could result in rejection.

• Master's Degree 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), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (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