RF & NTN Propagation Engineer (UK)

InvestedintheMission; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian Space UK Limited is seeking an RF & NTN Propagation Engineer to own the RF architecture and link performance for the Meridian 5G Non-Terrestrial Network solution. You will drive RF system design, beam modelling, and NTN channel validation within a fast-paced space program.

You will collaborate with RAN, RF, and systems architects to ensure end-to-end coherence and contribute to lab environments used to validate architectural decisions, while leading lab/testbed activities and KPI

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Experience with RF system design, link budgets, and NTN channel models involving delay, Doppler, and fading.
• Experience executing beam design and coverage modelling.
• Experience in the design and/or operations of satellite networks, satellite ground segments, and ground segment components/systems.
• Experience in system engineering and architecture specifications across a complex system of systems architectures implemented by multiple multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills across RF, RAN, core, security, and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own RF system design, analysis and simulation including link budgets and antenna systems for the ground segment.
• Perform beam design and coverage modelling with live testbed analysis of NTN channel aspects.
• Develop and validate NTN channel models with delay, Doppler, and fading.
• Collaborate with RF, RAN, core, security, and systems architects for end-to-end coherence.
• Contribute to lab environments and automation for architecture validation and configuration.
• Lead lab/testbed build, automate test execution, and measure KPIs across end-to-end architecture.

Skills

RF system design

Link budgets

NTN channel models

Beam design

Satellite networks

System engineering

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (electrical engineering / CS / telecoms)

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Keysight/Spirent emulator

Job description

Meridian is building a fundamentally new model for sovereign space infrastructure—delivering complete, owned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that provide governments and commercial operators with full control, assured access, and sovereign communications capability at a fraction of the cost of developing these systems independently.

Backed by leading venture capital investors and engineering partners, we are rapidly scaling the design, production, and deployment of the satellites, ground systems, and network infrastructure that will power Meridian's next-generation constellations.

Joining Meridian means working at the forefront of one of the world's most ambitious space programs underway today - designing and building constellations that will put sovereign connectivity within reach of nations and operators worldwide. You'll be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, where your work directly advances the design, development, and deployment of satellite constellations that governments and enterprises around the world will depend on for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.

Your Mission on the Team:

As our RF & NTN Propagation Engineer, you will own the physical layer RF architecture, signal propagation analysis, and link performance for the Meridian 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solution. This role calls for a highly analytical engineering professional who can bridge theoretical RF concepts with practical implementation and testing in a cutting-edge LEO environment.

In this critical domain, you will oversee the deployment of RF analysis tasks and ground segment hardware validation. This includes:

• Driving RF system design, analysis and simulation work including link budgets, and antenna systems architecture for the Meridian ground segment.
• Executing beam design and coverage modelling include live testbed analysis of all NTN channel aspects.
• Developing, analyzing, and validating complex NTN channel models involving severe delay, Doppler shifts, and fading.
• Collaborating with RAN, RF, and systems architects to ensure end-to-end coherence of the Meridian solution.
• Contributing to the design and operation of lab environments used to validate architecture and configuration choices.
• Leading the lab/testbed build, automating test execution, and conducting KPI measurements across complete end-to-end architecture.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Experience with RF system design, link budgets, and NTN channel models involving delay, Doppler, and fading.
• Experience executing beam design and coverage modelling.
• Experience in the design and/or operations of satellite networks, satellite ground segments, and ground segment components/systems.
• Experience in system engineering and architecture specifications across a complex system of systems architectures implemented by multiple multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across RF, RAN, core, security, and business stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Familiarity with 5G NTN or SATCOM ground segment architecture.
• Familiarity with emulator-based testbeds (e.g., Keysight/Spirent) and CI/CD for test automation.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, Bash, or similar).
• Previous participation in standardization fora (3GPP, O-RAN, ETSI NFV) or open-source telco projects.
• Experience working in ESA, defense, or similarly regulated environments.

Meridian Space UK Limited is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.