Director, User Terminal Architecture & Technology

Eutelsat Communications SA; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Eutelsat Communications SA is seeking a Director of User Terminal Architecture & Technology to shape the technology roadmap and lead architecture across next‑generation satellite user terminals. You will spearhead antenna and modem technologies, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and mentor engineering experts to drive excellence in a fast‑paced environment.

You will translate network, operational, and business requirements into robust terminal architectures, while managing external

Qualifications

• 12+ years in satellite or related industries.
• 3+ years of engineering management experience.
• Experience in user terminal design and architecture.
• Deep expertise in ESA, phased-array antennas, satellite modem architectures, RF subsystems, or digital comms.

Responsibilities

• Lead antenna, modem, RF, systems, and user terminal engineers to drive technical excellence.
• Define technology roadmap for next-gen user terminals for GEO/LEO networks.
• Lead architecture definition and trade studies for future user terminal technologies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and suppliers to improve performance and reduce cost.
• Serve as technical authority for user terminal architecture and related technologies.
• Drive engagement with antenna vendors, modem suppliers, and technology partners.
• Support product teams through architecture reviews and technical assessments.
• Lead investigations and Tier-4 engineering support for complex field issues.
• Guide root-cause analyses for terminal performance and interoperability.
• Ensure alignment with system engineering and network requirements.
• Develop engineering standards and best practices for terminal design and validation.
• Represent the organization in executive reviews and supplier engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Architecture leadership

Satellite communications

Vendor management

System engineering

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Modem/ASIC/FPGA/DSP experience

Job description

Director, User Terminal Architecture & Technology

Country/Region: FR

Director, User Terminal Architecture & Technology

Job Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Director, User Terminal Architecture & Technology to join our team and play a critical role in defining the technology roadmap, architecture, and technical evolution of next‑generation satellite user terminals, while providing technical leadership for advanced antenna and modem technologies. In this position, you’ll work closely with user terminal development teams, systems engineers, product managers, network engineering, operations teams, technology partners, antenna and modem suppliers, and other key stakeholders, contributing directly to our ongoing projects and initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within an organization that values growth, teamwork, and professional development.

Who You Are

You are a highly experienced satellite engineering leader, from satellite communications, telecom, or IoT device environments, with deep expertise in user terminal technologies and a proven track record developing advanced antenna and modem solutions.

You combine strong technical depth with demonstrated people management capabilities, having led teams of highly skilled engineers, architects, and subject matter experts. You are comfortable operating across technology strategy, technical leadership, supplier management, and operational support, driving engineering excellence while developing talent and building high‑performing teams.

You possess a strong system‑level understanding of satellite communications and are capable of translating network, operational, and business requirements into robust user terminal architectures. You thrive in technically challenging environments and are recognized for your ability to solve complex engineering problems, challenge assumptions, and guide organizations through critical technology decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop a team of antenna, modem, RF, systems, and user terminal engineers, fostering technical excellence, innovation, and accountability.
• Define and drive the technology roadmap for next‑generation user terminal solutions supporting Eutelsat Group's GEO and LEO networks.
• Lead architecture definition and technical trade studies for future user terminal technologies, including antenna systems, modem architectures, RF subsystems, and terminal integration approaches.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and suppliers to improve terminal performance, reduce cost, accelerate deployment, and strengthen competitive differentiation.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for user terminal architecture, antenna technologies, and modem solutions across the organization.
• Drive technical engagement with antenna vendors, modem suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers, ODMs, OEMs, and strategic technology partners.
• Support user terminal product development teams through architecture reviews, design reviews, technical assessments, and technology selection decisions.
• Lead technical investigations and provide Tier‑4 engineering support for complex field, customer, and operational issues that require deep product and system expertise.
• Guide root‑cause analysis and corrective action activities involving terminal performance, antenna systems, modem operation, interoperability, and network integration.
• Ensure alignment between user terminal technologies and overall system engineering, network architecture, operational, and product requirements.
• Develop engineering methodologies, technical standards, and best practices for user terminal design, validation, and performance assessment.
• Represent the organization in executive reviews, supplier engagements, industry forums, customer discussions, and technical governance activities.

What You’ll Need

Required

• 12+ years of experience in satellite communications, wireless communications, telecommunications equipment, or related industries.
• 3+ years of engineering management experience leading teams of highly skilled technical professionals.
• Demonstrated experience in user terminal design, architecture, or development.
• Deep expertise in at least one of the following domains:
  • Electronically Steered Antennas (ESA)
  • Phased‑array antenna systems
  • Satellite modem architecture
  • RF subsystems and communications payload interfaces
  • Digital communication systems and waveform implementation
• Strong understanding of LEO and GEO satellite communication systems.
• Experience managing technical relationships with external suppliers and technology partners.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively at both executive and engineering levels.

Preferred

• Experience with flat panel antenna technologies and mobility user terminals.
• Experience in aviation, maritime, land mobility, defense, or enterprise satellite communications.
• Familiarity with terminal certification and regulatory environments.
• Experience with modem chipset, ASIC, FPGA, DSP, or advanced digital communications development.
• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Ability to lead complex technical investigations and root‑cause analyses involving deployed products and operational networks.

Where You’ll Work

London, United Kingdom, Paris, France, or Turin, Italy.