Senior Engineer, 5G RAN, IRIS2

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite 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. In addition, as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while benefiting from ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

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

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

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Join SES as part of the SpaceRise consortium to shape the future of space-based 5G connectivity under the European IRIS2 initiative. We are designing and deploying next-generation Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) that seamlessly integrate satellite and terrestrial 5G systems at global scale.

As a 5G RAN NTN Software & Hardware Architect, you will define and evolve the end-to-end architecture of NTN-enabled gNB components, ensuring performance, scalability, and reliability in a highly dynamic satellite environment. You will influence system design, contribute to standardization evolution in 3GPP, and drive cross-domain innovation across software, hardware, and radio systems.

This role is ideal for a strategic architect with deep technical expertise who thrives in collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments and wants to shape the direction of space-based 5G.

As a Senior Engineer, 5G RAN, IRIS2, you will be responsible to :

• Define and maintain the software architecture (and features) for 5G NTN gNB components (DU/CU/OAM)
• Ensure 3GPP compliance while optimizing for satellite-specific constraints (such as long RTT, Doppler, mobility across beams, dynamic link budgets)
• Architect integrated software–hardware solutions for performance-critical RAN functions
• Collaborate closely with system engineers, protocol experts, RF and hardware teams
• Drive architectural decisions across:
• L1 PHY processing
• L2 MAC/RLC scheduling
• L3 RRC/PDCP/OAM
• acceleration frameworks (HW/SW)
• Evaluate emerging technologies and propose architectural improvements
• Participate in internal design reviews, prototyping, and development activities
• Contribute to 3GPP NTN standards evolution and internal standardization strategy
• Dimension HW platforms based on multi-threaded software execution models and workload mapping

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of experience in 5G gNB design and development
• Proven background in software architecture for wireless communication systems
• Strong software engineering expertise, including:
• • distributed systems
  • real-time processing
  • performance optimization
• Hands-on experience in the 5G RAN stack, including:
• • Real-time (DU): MAC scheduler, PHY integration, RLC
  • Non-real-time (CU): RRC, PDCP, OAM
• Understanding of:
  • 3GPP 5G NR RAN architecture
  • NTN concepts and satellite communications
  • 5G NR split architectures (e.g., 7.2x, 3GPP splits – pros/cons)
  • NTN procedures: Random Access, Beam Switching/Sweeping, HO/CHO
• Experience with:
  • embedded systems
  • performance-critical networking software
  • HW/SW acceleration (FPGA/GPU/DSP)

• Ability to translate complex requirements into scalable architectures
• Excellent communication and technical leadership skills
• Experience dimensioning HW boards based on SW multithreading architecture

NICE TO HAVE

• Understanding of O-RAN architecture and adaptations required for NTN
• Experience participating in standardization bodies (3GPP, ETSI, O-RAN)
• Experience with satellite payload or gateway design
• Experience with cloud-native RAN / vRAN architectures

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS 

• The candidate must have a valid “SECRET” security clearance, in accordance with the “loi modifiée du 15 juin 2004 relative à la classification des pièces et aux habilitations de sécurité”, as well as EU/ESA/NATO equivalents
• Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes 
• Understanding of space-based security architectures
• Experience on NGSOs

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