(Senior) Engineer, R&D Network, IRIS2

ProgramME Description

IRIS² is the new European Union secure satellite communications constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

SES – together with other consortium partners and core members – was selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS² multi-orbit satellite constellation.

The IRIS² team enters the next project phase and there is a strong need for support for all the activities around service provisioning and products that the system can offer in the future.

Role description summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Network R&D Engineer to design, prototype, and validate next-generation networking technologies for a large-scale satellite constellation (LEO, MEO and multi-layer). This role focuses on advanced network theory, experimental systems, programmable networking, and virtualized network architectures. You will operate at the intersection of space systems, distributed networking, and intelligent control planes, solving complex challenges in dynamic topology management, ultra-low-latency routing, and resilient global connectivity. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in research-driven environments, enjoys building experimental platforms, and can translate theoretical insight into production-ready systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Design and analyze large-scale satellite network architectures (LEO/MEO/GEO constellations).
• Develop and prototype novel routing, congestion control, and traffic engineering algorithms.
• Build experimental SDN-based control planes for dynamic, space-based networks.
• Design and implement programmable data planes using P4 and emerging network hardware.
• Architect and evaluate virtualized network and system environments, including:
• Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
• Virtual routing and switching
• Cloud-native and containerized network services
• Distributed virtual network overlays across space and ground segments
• Develop simulation, emulation, and digital twin frameworks for constellation-scale experimentation.
• Apply optimization theory and stochastic modeling to multi-layer satellite-terrestrial systems.
• Integrate machine learning and AI techniques for:
• Adaptive routing and traffic prediction
• Failure detection and mitigation
• Network self-optimization and autonomy
• Conduct rigorous performance analysis, benchmarking, and validation of experimental systems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with aerospace engineers, systems architects, and software teams.
• Transition research prototypes into scalable, production-ready network platforms.

Qualifications Background and Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with focus on networking, distributed systems, or applied mathematics.

• Strong foundation in:
• Graph theory and network topology modeling
• Optimization (convex optimization, linear programming, combinatorial optimization)
• Queueing theory and stochastic processes
• Hands-on experience with:
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
• P4 and programmable data planes
• Network virtualization technologies (VMs, containers, Kubernetes, hypervisors)
• Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and service chaining
• Overlay/underlay architectures (VXLAN, GRE, etc.)
• Network simulation and emulation tools (ns-3, OMNeT++, Mininet, etc.)
• Strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, or Rust.
• Experience designing experimental systems and performing statistically rigorous evaluations.
• Deep understanding of Linux networking stack and performance instrumentation tools.

Other key requirements / comments

• Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personal security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such a clearance
• Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes