Senior Payload Engineer - Spacecraft Subsystems

SES Satellites; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

SES is seeking a Senior Engineer for Spacecraft Subsystems, Payload, to lead payload operations and design innovative in-orbit solutions. You will work on SES's GEO and MEO fleet, contributing to payload design reviews, testing, and mission support across global operations.

You will apply deep knowledge of RF payload, phased arrays, and end-to-end link budgets, while developing tooling for performance monitoring and automated operations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or related spacecraft engineering fields/disciplines (Master’s degree preferred).
• Demonstrative experience in digital payload technology and phased array operation preferred.
• 8–10 years of professional experience in satellite or telecommunications RF payload engineering.
• Experience with end-to-end satellite communication systems and link budgeting.
• Ability to work on-call and adapt to international environments.

Responsibilities

• Understand end-to-end communications link budgets and RF payload subsystems, incl. spacecraft hardware for data transmission.
• Monitor health status and provide on-call support for satellites in operation.
• Ensure customer performance aligns with SLA, maximize satellite availability and longevity.
• Develop payload applications and tools for performance monitoring and operation automation.
• Lead payload readiness for new satellite operations and In Orbit Test programs.
• Support design and procurement of new MEO/GEO satellites and SRD tooling.
• Integrate payload data models with ground-based calibration systems.
• Collaborate across teams on payload operations, DSP, RF analysis, and simulation.
• Develop operational solutions for productization, fleet management and contingency operations.

Skills

RF payload

Phased array

Python

MATLAB

Data analytics

Signal processing

Link budget

On-call support

Windows/Linux

Education

Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering (Master’s preferred)

Tools

RF measurement equipment

Python/MATLAB environments

Job description

SES is seeking a Senior Engineer for Spacecraft Subsystems, Payload, to lead payload operations and design innovative in-orbit solutions. You will work on SES's GEO and MEO fleet, contributing to payload design reviews, testing, and mission support across global operations.

You will apply deep knowledge of RF payload, phased arrays, and end-to-end link budgets, while developing tooling for performance monitoring and automated operations.