Senior Payload Subsystems Engineer – Satellite Connectivity

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

Job summary

SES Satellites seeks a Senior Engineer for Spacecraft Subsystems with a focus on Payload to oversee GEO/MEO satellite payloads. You will manage end-to-end RF payload subsystems, monitor health, and drive performance against SLAs while preparing payloads for new satellite operations and in-orbit tests.

You will collaborate on software-defined payloads, be a SME for DSP, phased arrays, RF analysis, and data modeling, and contribute to fleet-wide automation and optimization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or related spacecraft engineering fields/disciplines (Master’s degree preferred). Specialization in telecommunications preferred.
• Demonstrative Experience in digital payload technology and phased array operation is preferred.
• Previous exposure to satellite operations or satellite constellation operations for LEO/MEO is a plus.
• At least 8-10 years of professional experience in satellite or telecommunications (RF payload) engineering.
• Well-versed in end-to-end satellite communication systems, link budget analysis, RF measurement equipment, signal acquisition, processing or analysis.

Responsibilities

• Understand end-to-end communications link budgets and RF payload subsystems, including equipment on board for data transmission and telecommand/telemetered signals
• Monitor health status and provide on-call support for satellites in operation, including anomaly recovery and service interruptions
• Ensure customer performance in line with SLA terms, maximize satellite availability and longevity
• Develop integrated payload applications and tools for performance monitoring, automation, and constellation optimization
• Lead payload readiness for new satellite operations and In Orbit Test programs, including MEO phasing
• Support design and procurement of new MEO and GEO satellites with software-defined, flexible payloads
• Work with ground-based software systems to integrate payload data models and in-orbit calibration
• Serve as payload SME for operations engineers in DSP, phased arrays, RF analysis, and link analysis
• Lead development of operational solutions for customer end-to-end productization and fleet management
• Lead preparation for constellations integration and contingency operations

Skills

End-to-end communications

Analytical skills

On-call support

Team leadership

International environment

Software data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Visual Basic

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering or related spacecraft fields

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Visual Basic

Web Development basics

Job description

SES Satellites seeks a Senior Engineer for Spacecraft Subsystems with a focus on Payload to oversee GEO/MEO satellite payloads. You will manage end-to-end RF payload subsystems, monitor health, and drive performance against SLAs while preparing payloads for new satellite operations and in-orbit tests.

You will collaborate on software-defined payloads, be a SME for DSP, phased arrays, RF analysis, and data modeling, and contribute to fleet-wide automation and optimization initiatives.