Principal Systems Engineer

SES; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SES is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for its Commercial Aviation team to design solutions for in-flight connectivity. The role involves working with complex systems to enhance user experiences with in-flight entertainment and communication.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of experience in writing technical requirements for telecommunications systems, with strong knowledge of web/networking protocols. Excellent communication skills are essential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' experience writing technical requirements for embedded and/or telecommunication systems.
• Excellent working knowledge of web/networking protocols like QUIC, TCP/IP, HTTP Services.
• Knowledge of wireless communication systems and 802.11 protocols.

Responsibilities

• Investigate new technologies for in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems.
• Define system-level technical requirements for IFEC systems.
• Design and document high-level architecture for IFEC systems.

Skills

Complex systems understanding

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, or related major

Tools

Jama Connect

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

SES Commercial Aviation team has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Systems Engineer. You will help us design and develop solutions aimed at providing key features, functionality, and future vision for Commercial Aviation connectivity to deliver an at home internet access experience while sitting on an airplane. Solutions integrate many individual sub‑systems from the users' connected devices, through the aircraft, across satellites, ground‑based teleports, data centers, and to the internet. Solutions are knit together and defined with various development teams and disciplines, product management, and support organizations.

The ideal candidate for this role will be a working member of the Commercial Aviation systems engineering team delivering quality technical solutions that address strategic technical and business needs carrying through concept, design, deployment, and field support. This role requires solid understanding of networking, ability to learn cutting edge technology and to drive its application to next generation solution realization, being able to communicate technical solutions and concepts in both written and verbal means to a variety of people and organizations, and contribute to cross‑functional teams (such as hardware engineering, network engineering, satellite engineering, operations, satellite capacity planning) within SES, with suppliers, and with customers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• You will investigate new technologies and prove out their applicable use to SES' Commercial Aviation in‑flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems.
• Define system‑level technical requirements for IFEC systems.
• Define sub‑system requirements for on‑aircraft and ground‑based IFEC hardware / servers.
• Design and document high‑level architecture for IFEC systems.
• Work with Product Owners to review and refine epic and feature‑level business requirements.
• Work with Software Developers to refine feature‑level software designs.
• Work with Testers to ensure test cases accurately cover all technical requirements.
• Be the point person resolving issues that appear in the field.

COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to understand complex systems comprised of communication, computing, and internet technologies.
• Ability to aggregate, organize, and present complex technical information.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects efficiently.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to think critically.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in an international, multi‑site environment.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, or a related major.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience writing technical requirements for embedded and/or telecommunication systems, system‑level would be a bonus
• Excellent working knowledge of common web / networking protocols (e.g. QUIC, TCP / IP, HTTP Services), RF communication protocols (e.g. 802.11), hardware functional understanding (e.g. compute resources and memory, communication mechanisms such as ethernet and discretes), and software functional understanding (e.g. VMs, Docker containers, software engineering concepts).
• Knowledge and understanding of the following areas:
  • Web service and cloud computing infrastructure.
  • Network infrastructures including routers, gateways, SD‑WANs, deep packet inspection systems, load balancers, and firewalls.
  • Wireless communication systems and protocols particularly 802.11 and Satellite (MEO, LEO, GEO).
• Experience with front end process flow; understanding of process inputs from Product Management and needed outputs to Development and Test.

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

It would be nice if you had:

• Data management experience in areas such as data capture and distribution, data storage techniques, and data display techniques.
• End-to-end knowledge of 5G and satellite systems.
• Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, or a related major.
• Experience with Jama Connect or another requirements management tool.

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.