Ground Segment System Engineer for IRIS²

ATG Europe; Zuid-Holland; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ATG Europe is seeking a Ground Segment System Engineer to support clients in Madrid or Noordwijk. The role covers ground segment architectures, Mission Control, and Network Management, interfacing satellites, ground stations, and service platforms.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable, scalable satellite communications solutions, including verification, validation, and continuous improvement across the lifecycle. Fluency in English and EU eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in satellite ground segment engineering, satellite communications, mission control, network management, or related activities.
• Experience with Mission Control Systems (MCS), Network Management Systems (NMS), and their integration within satellite ground segments.
• Strong understanding of satellite operations, ground infrastructure, TT&C systems, satellite communications architectures, and satellite-to-ground interfaces.
• Experience across the system lifecycle, including requirements engineering, interface management, integration, testing, verification, and validation.
• Knowledge of networked and distributed systems, including IP networking, virtualization, cloud and container technologies, automation, and cybersecurity principles.
• Ability to analyse complex technical issues, coordinate multidisciplinary activities, and communicate effectively in English. Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain ground segment system requirements, architectures, functional specifications, and interface control documents.
• Translate mission and operational needs into system-level requirements and technical solutions.
• Support end-to-end system design, including interfaces between satellites, ground stations, mission control, network management, and service delivery platforms.
• Manage technical interfaces across system elements, suppliers, and external stakeholders; conduct trade-off analyses and architecture reviews.
• Specify, integrate, and validate Mission Control Systems supporting satellite constellation operations.
• Support telemetry and telecommand (TM/TC), satellite monitoring, command execution, anomaly management, and operational procedures.
• Contribute to mission planning, fleet management, automation, and operational workflow optimization.
• Integrate spacecraft control systems with ground infrastructure and operational tools.
• Support the design and integration of Network Management Systems for satellite communication networks.
• Work on network configuration, monitoring, fault management, performance management, and service assurance.
• Coordinate interfaces between satellite network management, gateways, ground infrastructure, and terrestrial IP networks.
• Support large-scale, multi-satellite communication architectures and their operational dependencies.
• Develop system verification strategies, test plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate integration and testing across software, hardware, network, and operational subsystems.
• Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), System Integration Tests (SIT), and end-to-end validation.
• Investigate anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and support corrective actions.
• Maintain traceability between system requirements, implementation, and verification evidence.
• Support commissioning, operational readiness, and transition to routine constellation operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve system availability, automation, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to system evolution, software upgrades, and integration of new constellation capabilities.

Skills

Ground segment engineering

Mission Control Systems (MCS)

Network Management Systems (NMS)

Satellite communications

English communication

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

Tools

IP networking

Virtualization

Cloud technologies

Container technologies

Automation

Cybersecurity principles

Job description

We are looking for a Ground Segment System Engineer on behalf of and in support to our client for their location in Arganda del Rey (Madrid), Spain or Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

The successful candidate will contribute to ground segment architectures supporting satellite fleet operations, mission planning, telemetry and telecommand, network management, and service delivery. The role requires a strong understanding of satellite operations and the interfaces between spacecraft, mission control systems, communications networks, and terrestrial infrastructure.

You will work with multidisciplinary engineering teams, satellite operators, system integrators, and technology suppliers to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure solutions for next-generation satellite communication services.

Please note, the successful candidate will be employed by ATG Europe (or one of its subsidiaries). Furthermore, upon selection, they will be subject to a general security screening performed by an external provider (further information will be provided at interview stage).

The successful candidate will be tasked with, but not limited to:

Ground Segment Systems Engineering

• Define and maintain ground segment system requirements, architectures, functional specifications, and interface control documents;

• Translate mission and operational needs into system-level requirements and technical solutions;

• Support end-to-end system design, including interfaces between satellites, ground stations, mission control, network management, and service delivery platforms;

• Manage technical interfaces across system elements, suppliers, and external stakeholders; conduct trade-off analyses and architecture reviews.

Mission Control Systems (MCS)

• Specify, integrate, and validate Mission Control Systems supporting satellite constellation operations;

• Support telemetry and telecommand (TM/TC), satellite monitoring, command execution, anomaly management, and operational procedures;

• Contribute to mission planning, fleet management, automation, and operational workflow optimization;

• Integrate spacecraft control systems with ground infrastructure and operational tools.

Network Management Systems (NMS)

• Support the design and integration of Network Management Systems for satellite communication networks;

• Work on network configuration, monitoring, fault management, performance management, and service assurance;

• Coordinate interfaces between satellite network management, gateways, ground infrastructure, and terrestrial IP networks.

• Support large-scale, multi-satellite communication architectures and their operational dependencies.

Integration, Verification and Validation

• Develop system verification strategies, test plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria;

• Coordinate integration and testing across software, hardware, network, and operational subsystems;

• Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), System Integration Tests (SIT), and end-to-end validation;

• Investigate anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and support corrective actions;

• Maintain traceability between system requirements, implementation, and verification evidence.

Operations and Continuous Improvement

• Support commissioning, operational readiness, and transition to routine constellation operations;

• Identify opportunities to improve system availability, automation, scalability, and operational efficiency;

• Contribute to system evolution, software upgrades, and integration of new constellation capabilities;

• Apply appropriate engineering standards, configuration management, cybersecurity, and lifecycle processes.

ATG is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, handicap, or any other reason protected by relevant state or municipal legislation, we are pleased to consider all eligible candidates for employment. At ATG Science & Engineering S.L., we are firmly committed to equal opportunities and respect for diversity. The Equality Plan and active policies promote to foster an inclusive environment, free from discrimination. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, handicap (+33% certificado de discapacidad), or any other reason protected by relevant state or municipal legislation, we are pleased to consider all eligible candidates for employment,

Please ensure that your CV clearly explains how you meet the mandatory requirements If it doesn’t align completely with the essential criteria, it could result in rejection.

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field;

• Minimum 5 years of experience in satellite ground segment engineering, satellite communications, mission control, network management, or related activities;

• Experience with Mission Control Systems (MCS), Network Management Systems (NMS), and their integration within satellite ground segments;

• Strong understanding of satellite operations, ground infrastructure, TT&C systems, satellite communications architectures (GEO, MEO, and/or LEO), and satellite-to-ground interfaces;

• Experience across the system lifecycle, including requirements engineering, interface management, integration, testing, verification, and validation;

• Knowledge of networked and distributed systems, including IP networking, virtualization, cloud and container technologies, automation, and cybersecurity principles;

• Ability to analyse complex technical issues, coordinate multidisciplinary activities, and communicate effectively in English;

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken,

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU.

Desirable

• Experience with commercial satellite operators, satellite constellations, or LEO broadband/high-throughput satellite programmes;

• Knowledge of satellite resource management, payload control, beam management, or dynamic capacity allocation;

• Experience with operational simulations, digital twins, automated testing environments, or advanced ground segment automation;

• Experience working with international customers, equipment manufacturers, and system integrators.

Key Competencies

• Strong systems-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills;

• Ability to work independently while managing multiple technical priorities;

• Effective communication and collaboration in international engineering environments;

• Commitment to system reliability, operational performance, and quality delivery.