Lead Telecom Payload Engineer – 5G/6G Satellite Constellations

EU Satellite Centre (SatCen); Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESTEC, Noordwijk) seeks a Lead Telecom Payload Engineer to manage payload development, verification and in-orbit validation for Sunrise and D2D partnership projects. You will interface with satellite operators and industry primes, guiding reviews and contract negotiations while ensuring schedule and budget adherence.

You will lead a team across TEC and OPS, ensuring compliance with ECSS standards and delivering end-to-end payload performance for commercial partnerships.

Qualifications

• Experience in telecom satellite payload design, development, verification and in-orbit validation.
• Experience with 5G payloads for constellations.
• Knowledge of ESA and industrial space development, verification and QA processes.
• Knowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contract negotiation.
• Experience with complex project risk management processes, industrial costs and schedule control.
• Experience with telecom satellite operators.

Responsibilities

• Lead the payload design, development, qualification, on-ground verification and in-orbit validation with operators and prime contractors.
• Support contract negotiations and manage industry payload contracts, including CCNs and RFD/RFW/NCRs.
• Ensure compliance with ECSS, international and industry standards.
• Own satellite payload requirements, budgets, interfaces and performance.
• Lead reviews with operators, contractors and project teams.
• Oversee payload schedule, assess risks and propose mitigations.
• Provide regular technical and programmatic reporting to ESA management.

Skills

Payload design

5G payloads

ESA procurement

Contract negotiation

Project risk management

Satellite operators

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant domain

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years experience

Job description

European Space Agency (ESTEC, Noordwijk) seeks a Lead Telecom Payload Engineer to manage payload development, verification and in-orbit validation for Sunrise and D2D partnership projects. You will interface with satellite operators and industry primes, guiding reviews and contract negotiations while ensuring schedule and budget adherence.

You will lead a team across TEC and OPS, ensuring compliance with ECSS standards and delivering end-to-end payload performance for commercial partnerships.