RF Payload Engineer

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL); Guildford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SSTL in Guildford, Surrey seeks an experienced RF payload engineer to design, implement and verify payloads for SSTL missions. You will lead system level design, performance analysis and develop signal processing solutions, working with transmitters, receivers and antennas across multiple SSTL projects.

The role requires a strong engineering degree and ideally 5+ years in complex, multidisciplinary space systems, with hands-on RF, antenna or signal processing experience and ability to

Qualifications

• Ideally 5+ years relevant experience.
• System engineering for complex, multidisciplinary products.
• Requirements analysis and flow down.
• Experience with RF, signal processing or antenna design.
• Space manufacture and test experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, implementation and verification of RF payload solutions.
• Develop RF payloads with multidisciplinary teams.
• System level design and performance analysis of RF payloads.
• Specify payload hardware: transmitters, receivers, antennas.
• Develop signal processing solutions for in-orbit or ground tests.
• Create tools for payload design, test and calibration.
• Coordinate with SSTL teams and subcontractors on payloads.
• Support payload verification on ground tests and in orbit.
• Manage payload delivery, integration and test within projects.
• Lead work packages: planning, budget, schedule, resources.
• Contribute to bids involving RF payloads and present progress.

Skills

System engineering

Requirements analysis

RF payload design

Signal processing

Antenna design

Matlab/Python

Interpersonal skills

Project involvement

Education

Engineering, maths or physics degree

Tools

Matlab

Python

MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint

MS Project

Job description

Responsible For

Design, implementation and verification of RF payload solutions into SSTL missions.

Key Tasks

• Work with multidisciplinary teams to develop RF payload solutions for SSTL missions.
• System level design and performance analysis of RF payloads (communications, radar, SIGINT).
• Specification of payload hardware including transmitters, receivers and antennas.
• Specification of in-orbit or ground based signal processing solutions.
• Specification and development of tools for payload design, test and calibration.
• Work with other SSTL engineering teams and/or external subcontractors to develop and implement payload hardware and signal processing solutions.
• Define and support payload verification by on ground environmental test and in-orbit commissioning.
• Manage payload delivery, integration and test as part of SSTL projects.
• Work package manager responsibilities including planning/reporting budget/schedule/resources.
• Input to bids involving RF payloads.
• Support project reviews including presentation of technical solutions and programmatic progress to internal and external stakeholders.

Person Specification

Previous Experience

• Ideally 5+ years relevant experience.
• System engineering for complex, multidisciplinary products or project solutions.
• Requirements analysis and flow down.
• Experience with some of the following: link budget analysis, RF and/or digital design, signal processing, antenna design/simulation, test definition/support for development and product verification.
• Experience of manufacture and test for space advantageous.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

• Good first degree in engineering, maths or physics.
• Comfortable working with experts while maintaining ownership of the solution.
• Confident delving into detail as required without being distracted from project objectives.
• Good inter-personal skills – both written and oral communications; ability to interface with customers and technical representatives.
• Familiarity with Matlab or Python for mathematical modelling.
• Good knowledge of MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint, plus MS Project or similar planning tool.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Ability to work well in teams but also individually.
• Results orientated, can‑do approach.
• Pro‑active and able to take initiative.
• Decision making and problem‑solving skills.
• Highly organised with clear communication skills.
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets; accountability, one team, customers and projects rule, and audacity.

Location: Guildford, Surrey