IRIS2 Physical Layer and Air Interface Engineer

Eutelsat; Issy-les-Moulineaux; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Eutelsat is seeking two engineers to work on the Physical Layer and Air Interface of next‑gen satellite systems, including the EU IRIS2 program. You will design software simulators for user and feeder links and analyze RF and channel impairments to shape system-level performance.

The role sits within the System Engineering team, collaborating with vendors to define requirements, validate implementations, and mentor a more junior engineer.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the physical layer of digital communication systems (modulation, coding, synchronization).
• RF impairments impact on air interface performance (phase noise, frequency/doppler, non-linearities).
• Experience with lab equipment to troubleshoot communications systems.
• Degree in telecom/EE/CS; SDR toolkits like GNU Radio.

Responsibilities

• Develop software simulators for user and feeder links (5G/DVB-S2X).
• Assess impact of channel impairments and RF performance on system design.
• Define air interface requirements and validation strategies for vendors.
• Mentor junior engineer and collaborate with the System Engineering team.

Skills

Digital Communications Systems

C++

MATLAB

Python

5G or DVB Standards Familiarity

Lab equipment experience

GNU Radio

Education

Degree in telecommunications / electrical engineering / computer science

Tools

GNU Radio

Simulink

Job description

Be part of a new era in communications, transforming connectivity with Eutelsat – the world’s first GEO-LEO integrated global satellite operator.

As a leader in satellite communications, we provide global connectivity solutions - connecting businesses, communities, and governments around the world. We can connect you at on land, at sea and in the air. We also deliver broadcast television channels and packages, transmitting vital news reports around the world.

With Eutelsat You’ll Get To:

• Pioneer the future of Space Technology
• Bring connectivity to remote frontiers
• Collaborate with customer-centric experts
• Embrace cultural diversity in our global team

In a dynamic industry where passion drives our teams to make a difference to become the most trusted partner for global satellite connectivity, you will elevate your skills in a stretching, rewarding, and meaningful environment. At Eutelsat, we’re united by inclusion and diversity, striving for gender balance and social responsibility, on Earth and in Space.

Why Eutelsat ?

• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: With colleagues from over 75 countries, we embrace our global DNA and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are proud that one-third of our executive team and 60% of our board are represented by women.
• Ways of Working That Drive Us: As "One Team," we work collaboratively towards shared goals, with customer-centricity, respect, and inclusivity as our guiding principles.
• Sustainability at Our Core: At Eutelsat, sustainability is more than just a word; it’s woven into our strategy. We’re dedicated to balancing social, environmental, and economic growth — both on Earth and in space.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer flexible schedules and hybrid work options to help you balance your personal and professional life. At Eutelsat, we are committed to supporting your well-being and ensuring you have the flexibility you need to succeed both at work and at home.

Role Overview

Eutelsat is seeking two engineers to work on the Physical Layer and Air Interface of both our commercial next-generation satellite communications system and the European Union’s IRIS2 system (which Eutelsat are supporting in their capacity as a member of SpaceRise).

Working within the wider System Engineering team and more broadly with our vendor, these engineers would be responsible for making key design choices on the Air Interfaces of both systems, on both the user and feeder links but these decisions need to be backed up by through quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Key Responsibilities

There are two open positions. The combination of the two engineers should take on these responsibilities with the more senior role including mentoring and supervising the other engineer while both work together to achieve these.

• Physical Layer Software simulation:
• Build a software simulator of the user link physical layer (based on 5G)
• Build a software simulator of the feeder link physical layer (based on DVB-S2X or similar)
• Use these tools to assess the impact of channel impairments and equipment RF performance (e.g. multipath / phase noise / group delay / frequency)
• Use these tools to assess the system level impact (overhead / throughput etc.) of various implementations of physical layer features and procedures (e.g. ACM / HARQ / DFT-S-OFDM vs CP-OFDM)
• Air Interface Requirements
• Establish the technical requirements for the air interfaces that our vendors need to meet for the system to work as expected.
• Determine how the performance of the air interfaces should be validated at each stage of the programme.
• Assess the feasibility of vendor proposed solutions to meet these requirements
• Understand how vendor non-compliance may affect the overall system and work with the vendors to mitigate the impact.

Required Experience

• Digital Communications Systems
• Strong understanding of the physical layer of digital communication systems, including modulation, coding, synchronization, equalization, channel estimation etc.
• Understanding of RF impairments and their impact on air interface performance, including phase noise, frequency / doppler errors, non-linearities, and interference.
• Experience of working with lab equipment to troubleshoot communications systems
• Programming Skills
• Experience with using at least of the following for physical layer or similar signal processing modelling (note: it’s an internal tool so it doesn't need to be beautiful code – it needs to answer questions quickly!)
• C++
• MATLAB
• Julia
• Python (inc. NumPy / SciPy)
• 5G or DVB Standards Familiarity
• Experience working with systems based on either 3GPP standards or DVB standards
• A deep understanding of the physical layer of at least one of the above and why they were designed the way they are.
• Qualifications
• A degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Use of Software-Defined Radio toolkits (e.g. GNU Radio)
• Real-world modem implementation various hardware platforms (DSPs, FPGAs, RF SoCs etc.)

Candidate Profile

A physical layer domain expert who really understands what’s going across the air interface and is comfortable interacting with vendors at a highly technical level. However, the same person needs to explain options and choices to non-experts in the rest of the company.

The more senior engineer should really want to be a technical mentor and enjoy passing on their expertise.

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