Senior Spectrum Engineer - Space

Ofcom; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Associate to join their Spectrum Group, focusing on the management of wireless spectrum in the UK. This role involves developing space-related spectrum policies, conducting technical studies, and engaging with stakeholders in the space and satellite industry. You will play a crucial role in ensuring efficient spectrum use and innovation in communications technology. If you have a strong technical background and a passion for shaping the future of communications, this opportunity offers a dynamic environment where your expertise will make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge in wireless and satellite communications systems.
• Ability to conduct complex modelling and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical studies of satellite networks and their spectrum sharing.
• Develop spectrum policy and prepare reports for senior stakeholders.

Skills

Wireless Communications

Satellite Communications

Numerical Modelling

Technical Problem Solving

Creative Thinking

Education

Engineering Degree

Technical Degree

Job description

Closing Date:

22/05/2025

Group:

Spectrum Group

Management Level:

Senior Associate

Job Type:

Permanent

Job Description:

Please note this role will close at 00.01 on the 22nd May so we advise making your application by midnight on the 21st May

About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other.

Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

About the team you’ll be part of

Ofcom’s Spectrum Group manages the use of wireless spectrum throughout the UK to ensure that it is used efficiently. As the UK’s communications regulator we make spectrum available for new and innovative services such as next-generation mobile or satellite systems whilst ensuring that existing solutions like Wi-Fi and radio can continue to operate.

The role sits within the Spectrum Management and Authorisation team, part of the Spectrum Group. We design and maintain authorisations to enable different wireless services to use and share spectrum efficiently. We understand trends and enable wireless innovation in a wide range of industries such as aerospace (including drones), business radio, emergency services, fixed links, home broadband, maritime services, mobile communications, satellites, science, and utilities, to name a few. We also represent the UK in international groups to influence the future of spectrum management and manage satellite filings to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on behalf of the UK. Our skilled team includes a wide range of technical and policy experts, generalists and specialists from varied backgrounds who bring in different perspectives.

The purpose and scope of the role

There is an increasing demand for space and satellite spectrum policy to meet the needs of UK developments in this area and the large number of space related negotiations leading up to the to 2027 ITU World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC). This is an important role, providing technical input to help the Spectrum Management and Authorisation team develop space-related spectrum policy and authorisations. You will contribute technical advice on space technology and intersystem coexistence, analyse current and future use of spectrum, interpret what this means for UK spectrum management, and recommend how Ofcom can best balance the interests of stakeholders and consumers through its policy work. The role requires creativity and insight to develop solutions to different scenarios.

The role is an exciting mix of developing in-depth technical studies combined with wider engagement at policy level within Ofcom and internationally, where your understanding of underlying systems will help ensure a solid basis for new and existing space services. You will work with colleagues across the organisation as well as stakeholders from the space and satellite industry at international forums.

Your Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Use your specialist experience and knowledge to scope and undertake technical studies of satellite networks, investigating how new satellite technologies and networks can share radio spectrum with existing systems. This might include complex systems simulations or link budget analyses.
• Contribute to the development of related spectrum policy through developing appropriate technical criteria, models and procedures.
• Prepare oral and written reports, meeting inputs and give presentations, often at a senior level.
• Translate complex topics for non-technical audiences.
• Manage the necessary quality assurance and project governance of your projects.
• Act as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent Ofcom and the UK at national and international groups that are considering space and satellite related issues, leading on one or more WRC agenda items.

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success.

Technical knowledge and experience

• Wireless and satellite communications systems knowledge in areas such as complex modelling; wireless standards and technologies; radio propagation; interference mechanisms; interoperability; or electromagnetic compatibility.
• Strong numerical and mathematical modelling skills, with the ability to understand varied datasets and extract key trend
• Experience of technical problem solving and creative thinking.

Behavioural attributes – You will have an ability to:

• Scanning Horizons - Understand the bigger picture, identify and solve complex issues, using evidence-based methods to develop well-founded solutions.
• Articulating Ideas - Express the context, results and conclusions of technical work, whether written or orally, in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone.
• Empowering Development - Organise and lead tasks or projects, manage your own and other engineering colleagues’ input, setting clear goals and keeping an eye on progress to ensure timely delivery.
• Forming Relationships - Build and nurture positive relationships with people inside and outside the organisation.

Qualifications and Accreditations

• You will have an engineering or other technical, scientific or numerical degree or possess an equivalent level of experience.

Inclusivity Statement.

Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or social background.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at [e-mail] or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our advertised roles. When you apply, you can let us know if you would like your application to be considered under this scheme (sometimes known as ‘guaranteed interview scheme’). Find out more about the scheme here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at [e-mail] or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here. https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/