MEO On-Board Processor Responsible Engineer

ROLE DESCRIPTION

MEO100 is SES’s next-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite constellation, designed to deliver secure, high-speed broadband connectivity to governments, enterprises, and commercial users—eliminating connectivity dead zones around the globe.

To support this ambitious mission, SES is building a world-class aerospace team and internalising a key part of the supply chain: the final integration of partner satellite platforms with SES’s software-defined payloads, all within a cutting-edge manufacturing and test facility.

We are looking for a forward-thinking and experienced Senior Engineer to help shape the future of non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) communication payloads. You will play a pivotal role in defining and developing advanced digital subsystems—such as regenerative on-board processors, digital beam-forming antennas, and user terminal modems—that form the backbone of our high-throughput NGSO network.

These subsystems will leverage a range of technologies, including FPGAs, SoCs, processors, commercial off-the-shelf ASICs, and custom ASICs. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration with the overall payload and ground segment components.

As a Senior Engineer – MEO On-Board Processor Responsible, you will:

• Define subsystem architecture and verification strategies.
• Develop and maintain architecture-level specifications to guide hardware, firmware, and software development.
• Evaluate and select FPGA/SoC/Processor/ASIC platforms for on-board processing, beamforming, and user terminal applications.
• Lead architectural trade studies and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Assess performance metrics (signal quality, power, thermal, cost, etc.) and ensure alignment with system requirements.
• Collaborate with firmware/software teams to validate hardware platforms.
• Oversee digital PCB design from concept to manufacturing and testing.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support mechanical, thermal, and electronic design reviews and activities.
• Drive risk mitigation through prototyping, lab validation, and in-orbit testing.
• Provide performance analysis to support payload and user terminal design.
• Implement modem platforms for satellite communications, optimizing for silicon area, power, and performance.
• Contribute to the selection of radiation-tolerant chipsets and design of DSP algorithms on FPGAs.
• Develop verification test benches and automated test procedures.
• Stay up to date with evolving satellite communication standards.

Your Profile:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering (or related field).
• 10+ years of experience in electronic equipment design, ideally in the space sector.
• Deep expertise in FPGA, RF-SoC, ASIC, and processor-based system design.
• Strong knowledge of high-speed DSP, PCB design, and digital hardware development lifecycles.
• Proficient with EDA tools (e.g., Altium Designer) and mixed-signal ICs (ADCs, DACs, modems, SerDes).
• Familiar with software-defined design flows and DSP applications.
• Understanding of 4G/5G/DVB-S2X protocols and networking (TCP/UDP, MPLS, VPNs, VLANs).
• Experience with space-grade hardware design, including radiation mitigation and thermal/mechanical constraints.
• Skilled in writing clear technical documentation and conducting reliability analyses.
• Strong team player with excellent problem-solving skills and customer focus.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

This role offers the opportunity to work on one of the most advanced satellite systems in the world. Responsibilities may evolve over time in line with business needs and technological advancements.