Payload Engineer (CanarySat)

Arquimea; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ARQUIMEA, via CanarySat in Madrid, seeks a senior payload engineer to lead design, development and oversight of telecommunications payloads for the MAGEC constellation. You will define requirements, assess architectures and drive integration and testing across platforms and ground segments.

The role requires a Master’s in a related field, 10+ years in payload engineering, and strong RF/microwave expertise. Regular travel within Europe and on-call support may be required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field.
• 10+ years in payload engineering, procurement, equipment manufacturing or in-orbit operations for GEO/LEO missions.
• Strong knowledge of payload architectures, RF and microwave engineering, amplification, frequency conversion and filtering.
• Experience with DSP, ASIC technologies, active antennas, onboard processors or SDR payloads.
• Familiarity with link budgets, RF performance measurements and payload integration/testing.

Responsibilities

• Define and oversee design and development of telecommunications payloads for the MAGEC constellation.
• Contribute to mission definition, payload specs, architecture trade-offs and contractual negotiations.
• Review payload performance, link budgets and interfaces with platform and ground segment.
• Assess RF/microwave chains, antennas, onboard processing and SDR payloads against mission requirements.
• Monitor payload design, manufacturing and testing at equipment, subsystem and satellite levels.
• Lead design, manufacturing and test reviews; track risks and contractual compliance.
• Support payload integration, verification and acceptance tests.
• Participate in launch and in-orbit test campaigns and health monitoring.

Skills

Payload engineering

RF engineering

Microwave engineering

Digital signal processing

Python

MATLAB

Onboard processors

Software-defined payloads

Link budgets

Communication systems

Education

Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

CanarySat, a company within ARQUIMEA, will develop and operate global connectivity solutions and secure satellite communications, including the MAGEC constellation. Its services will support governments, businesses, critical infrastructure and mobility operators.

ARQUIMEA is a global technology company that develops innovative solutions and products for highly demanding sectors, including aerospace, defence and security, Big Science, biotechnology and fintech.

We are looking for professionals with experience in satellite platform engineering to contribute to the development of the MAGEC constellation.

Main responsibilities

• Support the definition, design, development and technical oversight of telecommunications payloads, including repeaters and antennas, for the MAGEC constellation.
• Contribute to mission definition, payload specifications, architecture trade-offs and technical contract negotiations.
• Review payload performance, link budgets and interfaces with the platform and ground segment.
• Assess RF and microwave chains, antenna systems, onboard digital processing and software-defined payload functions against mission requirements.
• Monitor payload design, development, manufacturing and testing at equipment, subsystem and satellite levels.
• Prepare and participate in design, manufacturing and test reviews; track technical actions, risks and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Review RF performance measurements and test results; support payload integration, verification and acceptance.
• Participate in launch and in-orbit test campaigns; support on-orbit payload health monitoring, anomaly investigations and regular technical reporting.

Academic qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related field.

Experience and skills

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in payload engineering, procurement, equipment manufacturing or in-orbit operations for GEO and/or LEO missions.
• Strong knowledge of communications payload architectures, RF and microwave engineering, amplification, frequency conversion and filtering.
• Expertise in relevant areas such as digital signal processing, ASIC technologies, active antennas, onboard processors or software-defined radio payloads.
• Knowledge of link budgets, RF performance measurement and payload integration and testing at equipment, subsystem and system levels.
• Familiarity with constellation design, optical communications, 5G standards, quality assurance principles and payload-platform interfaces.
• Experience in large programmes; proficiency in Python, MATLAB or similar tools and strong communication and collaboration skills.

Additional requirements

• National of an EU Member State and willing to undergo the security clearance process.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; Spanish and other European languages are an asset.
• Location: Madrid, with regular presence at CanarySat facilities and willingness to travel within Spain and internationally, primarily within Europe, and work at supplier or campaign sites as required.
• Availability for on-call support during critical testing, launch and early operations campaigns.

The position is based at ARQUIMEA’s headquarters at Calle Serrano Galvache, 56, Madrid, with regular attendance at CanarySat facilities.

We are looking for curious, creative, tenacious and collaborative people who are eager to take on new challenges and help improve the society we live in.

At ARQUIMEA, we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other status protected by applicable law. All applicants are considered equally, based on their skills and experience.