SatCom Payload Engineer

RHEA Group; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

flexible relocation support

training and development programmes

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) seeks a SatCom Payload Engineer to join its team at ESTEC in Noordwijk or ECSAT in Harwell. You will support telecommunications satellite activities, contribute to technology development, and work with diverse international experts to shape EOSA projects.

Ideal candidates bring 4+ years in aerospace, strong RF/mmWave or optical payload experience, and the ability to work autonomously or in a multicultural team, with fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering/Physics or related field.
• 4+ years in aerospace or satellite equipment development/manufacturing.
• Experience in low-level solutions implementation.
• Expertise in RF/mmWave, photonics, payload hardware or system architecture.
• End-to-end communications systems involving RF/mmWave or optical payloads.

Responsibilities

• Support management of activities for telecommunication satellite technology development.
• Contribute to initiating technology/product development activities for Satcom.
• Help establish ESA requirements, specifications and documentation.
• Assist in evaluating and monitoring development contracts and activities.
• Prepare inputs to status reports and to work plans.
• Collaborate with ESA department specialists to advance projects.
• Monitor market/tech trends in satellite communication.
• Escalate issues during procurement/execution/closure as needed.
• Prepare papers for Adjudication Committee meetings with quality standards.
• Contribute to Market Intelligence in the Department BI system.
• Promote ARTES and ARTES socioeconomic impact analysis.

Skills

RF/mmWave

photonics

payload hardware

system architecture

end-to-end systems

AOCS

TT&C

onboard data

security clearance

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree

Job description

SatCom Payload Engineer

Location: Harwell, United Kingdom Noordwijk, Netherlands

Application deadline: 30 June 2026

Reference number: 0528

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Satcom Payload Engineer to work at ESA's premises, either at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, or at ECSAT in Harwell, UK.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to support the activities in the Telecommunication Satellite Domain for cutting-edge projects.

Tasks and activities

• Supporting the management of activities devoted to the development of telecommunication satellite technology and products.
• Contributing to the initiation of activities related to technology and product development for satcom applications.
• Supporting the establishment and control of relevant ESA requirements, specifications and general documentation.
• Facilitating the evaluation, negotiation, monitoring and control of development contracts and activities.
• Assisting in the preparation of inputs to status reports.
• Contributing to the preparation of technology and product development work plans.
• Supporting other members of the directorate on their projects by sharing expertise.
• Monitoring market and technology trends and developments in satellite communication.
• Collaborating with specialists in other ESA departments.
• Detecting issues during procurement, execution or closure phases, and escalating them in a timely manner.
• Supporting the timely preparation of papers for Adjudication Committee meetings or Delegate bodies (IPC, JCB), with high quality standards.
• Contributing to the Department Business Intelligence management system by providing inputs on Market Intelligence.
• Supporting the promotion of ARTES and ARTES socioeconomic impact analysis.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Engineering and Physics, or a relevant field.
• At least 4 years proven experience in aerospace or telecommunications satellite equipment/subsystem development and/or manufacturing.
• Experience in the definition and implementation of low-level solutions.
• Proven expertise in one or more of the following areas: RF/mmWave technologies, photonics, payload hardware, and system architecture.
• Background in end-to-end communications systems engineering involving RF/mmWave or optical payloads.
• Management or hands-on experience in one or more of the following S/C platform subsystems is an asset: propulsion, electrical power, AOCS, TT&C, or onboard data processing.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Eligibility for ESA / EU security clearance.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.