Senior Payload Engineer, Spacecraft Programmes

SES; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SES seeks a Senior Payload Engineer for Space Programmes to provide resident payload engineering support across satellite procurement programs. You will oversee design, assembly, integration, and launch activities at manufacturer premises and contribute to product assurance and anomaly investigations.

You will review test data, support RFI/RFP discussions, and collaborate with SES’s field office to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and overall satellite performance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of applicable experience in Space Engineering.
• Experience with payload mission specification and operations.
• Experience with analogue and digital payload equipment.
• Experience with repeater and/or antenna subsystems.
• Experience with link budgets and repeater RF performance measurement.
• Strong ability to persuade and diplomatically communicate to inspire collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Ensure payload equipment units meet end-to-end system performance and functional requirements.
• Review and trend payload test data at unit and subsystem levels.
• Provide daily oversight of Design, Assembly, Integration, Test, and Launch phases.
• Support QA meetings and supplier facilities with the SES field office team.
• Perform in-process inspections with manufacturers and review documentation.
• Lead root-cause analysis for anomalies and verify corrective actions.

Skills

Payload subsystems

RF performance

Link budgets

Independent work

Stakeholder collaboration

On-site readiness

Education

Master's or PhD in Telecommunications/ Electrical Engineering

Job description

Senior Payload Engineer, Spacecraft Programmes

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

As Senior Payload Engineer, Space Programmes, you will be responsible for providing resident payload (repeater and antenna subsystems) engineering support to all phases of the satellite procurement programs which includes daily oversight of Design, Assembly, Integration, and Launch Campaign. You will be part of the SES Resident Field Office Team located at spacecraft manufacturer premises. You will support the Field Office in addressing product assurance and quality oversight of all aspects of the project. You will review and trend the test data for the payload equipment at unit and subsystems level tests and provide technical support to the Field Office Program Manager on investigations, resolutions and corrective actions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULTS AREAS

• Ensure that the specification of each payload equipment unit is consistent with meeting the end-to-end system performance and functional requirements


• Ensure that all payload units, subsystem and system test procedures comply with the contractual requirements


• Participate in design, test readiness, material and failure review meetings at manufacturer sub- and prime- contractor facilities as needed


• Monitor flow of payload components through build, test and integration into next higher assembly.


• Critically examine the anomaly investigation results in root cause analysis and verify corrective actions are implemented


• Provide daily oversight of Design, Assembly, Integration, Test, and Launch phases


• Provide daily oversight of activities at Manufacturer and Subcontractor facilities as needed


• Ensure that the specification of each payload equipment unit meets the end-to-end system performance and functional requirements


• Perform in process inspections with manufacturers


• Perform the equipment and Spacecraft repeater and antenna test data review for compliance with contractual requirements


• Contribute digital payload expertise to innovation projects pursued by technology in interaction with the satellite manufacturer


• Contribute digital payload expertise to RFI/RFP discussions with the satellite manufacturer


• Support the SES Product Assurance Lead in MPCB, PCB, and RCB meetings, as well as in the review and approval of EEE parts, materials, mechanical parts, and processes


• Monitoring integration and test activities with quality assurance audits, mandatory and key inspection points, test witnessing and configuration inspections


• Critically examine the anomaly investigation results to root cause analysis and verify corrective actions are implemented


• Review design, manufacturing and test documentation


• Provide summary reports of issues and recommended actions


• Ensure that the program action items are adequately addressed and closed


• Provide 24/7 on call support during payload system testing


• Support Payload In Orbit Testing (PIOT) post launch activities


• Flexible to work across various projects as required


• Act as Payload expert for other people in SES Group and to satellite users pertaining to satellite performance. Support end-to-end design solutions. Requires a thorough understanding of end-to-end communications link budgets and infrastructure


• Develop training material and provide technical training to satellite engineering team

COMPETENCIES

• High level knowledge in satellite payload subsystems and ability to challenge industry expert in their field


• Self-Starter with a high level of personal accountability


• Prioritization


• Team Player


• Demonstrated influencing and negotiation skills


• A willingness to be self-critical, continuously improves skills, learn from mistakes, acts within her


• or his circle of competence and knows their boundaries

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or PhD in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering or related discipline


• 7+ years of applicable experience in Space Engineering


• Experience with payload mission specification and operations


• Experience with analogue and digital payload equipment


• Experience with repeater and/or antenna subsystems


• Experience with link budgets and repeater RF performance measurement
  
• Strong ability in persuasive and diplomatic communication to inspire collaboration and drive collective goal achievement


• Strong ability to work independently and with limited supervision in complex environments, including multi-stakeholder projects

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• Willing to work at least 80% onsite from office


• Willingness to travel (supplier visits) - 30% domestic and international travel

The USA salary range for this full-time position is $121,000 - $180,000

Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and geographic location. Individual compensation within the range is determined based on work location and a variety of factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and relevant education or training. Additional compensation and benefits may apply depending on the location and terms of employment.

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.

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