Senior Space Systems Engineer

At SES Space & Defense we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite‑enabled connectivity, we deliver multi‑orbit, end‑to‑end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high‑bandwidth communications across the globe. Our differentiated multi‑orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low‑latency, high‑throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission‑critical communications. We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense you will work alongside a mission‑driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real‑world impact across today’s most critical missions. What You’ll Do As a Senior RF Communications Engineer you will lead the design, analysis, and optimization of RF communications performance across SES Space & Defense’s space architectures, assist in the development of link budgets, model RF impairments, and ensure robust end‑to‑end connectivity for mission‑critical SATCOM operations. You will integrate and assist with testing waveforms, modems, antennas, and RF subsystems, solve complex interoperability challenges, support advanced waveform and capability development, and drive enhancements that strengthen resilience, throughput, and reliability. You will also collaborate across space, systems, and network engineering teams, support operational missions with RF troubleshooting, and contribute to technical governance, readiness assessments, and system‑level performance decisions. Key Responsibilities Own RF communications design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal to network RF behavior. Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals. Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability. What You’ll Build and Solve Build and refine high‑performance RF links for low‑latency LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments. Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces. Why This Role Matters Ensures mission‑critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures. Enables technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi‑orbit and multivendor environments. Accelerates delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes. Why It’s Interesting and Challenging Involves advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting‑edge LEO and multi‑orbit SATCOM systems. Requires working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link‑layer networking, and integrated ground infrastructure. Operates at the intersection of cutting‑edge communications technology, real‑world environmental constraints, and demanding mission needs. Who You Are We are looking for an experienced RF communications engineer with a strong record of owning and delivering complex SATCOM or aerospace communication systems across space, ground, and network segments. You have successfully developed or integrated advanced waveforms, modems, prototypes, or communications architectures, often under demanding mission constraints, and have supported field tests, rapid capability insertions, or operational demonstrations. Your background includes working with U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers, bringing deep familiarity with protected communications, cybersecurity requirements, interference environments, and tactical networking. You stand out through recognized subject matter expertise in RF or multi‑orbit SATCOM engineering and can translate complex technical challenges into clear, mission‑aligned strategies. Qualifications BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field plus 4+ years related experience; higher degrees may substitute for experience. Microwave, radio frequency, and/or optical telecom hardware experience. Excellent customer service, accountability, professionalism, and interpersonal skills. Strong critical thinking, decision‑making, and priority‑setting skills. Team building skills with a player/coach mindset. Attention to detail that leads to complete, high‑quality engineering products. SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability status, or protected veteran status under applicable federal, state, and local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr