Digital Payload System Engineer

Digital Payload System Engineer

Role overview:
Seeking a Digital Payload System Engineer for design, integration, verification, and operational support for current and next-generation earth observation and communications satellites. The portfolio spans from broadband regenerative payloads to direct-to-user solutions (D2D) supported by phased array antennas with beamforming capability. The Digital Payload System Engineer will own the definition, design, integration, verification, and sustainment of digital payload subsystems across multiple satellite programs, influencing system-level tradeoffs and driving technology roadmaps. The incumbent will act as the primary technical interface with customers, prime contractors, and internal multidisciplinary teams.

Tasks summary:

Architecture Concept & Requirements

• Gather functional, performance, environmental, and security requirements from mission stakeholders & CONOPs.
• Map requirements to payload equipment performance with interfaces to on-board processors
• Coordinate with cybersecurity team for payload-specific assessments
• Perform requirement management and maintain bidirectional traceability throughout the program lifecycle

Payload Architecture & Design

• Implement high-level digital payload architecture (optical ISLs, phased array antennas, feeder links & front-end), master reference oscillator & clock synchronization
• Produce Interface Control Documents (ICDs) with other subsystems and ground segment
• Implement high-speed data-bus interfaces (SpaceWire, SpaceFibre, Ethernet, CAN)

Simulation & Analysis

• Perform performance simulations (Gain, Spurious, Linearity, SNR, dynamic range, spectral efficiency, G/T, EIRP, etc.) and Monte Carlo analyses for tolerance budgeting
• Define and maintain payload DC power budget with traffic & utilization models
• Perform FMECA, fault tree and FDIR, reliability modeling, and availability analysis

Hardware & Firmware

• Provide system-level specifications to hardware designers; review schematics, layouts, thermal interfaces, and mechanical constraints
• Support software development for MODCODs and on-board processing pipelines; ensure BIST, timing, latency, and deterministic behavior

Cross-Functional Coordination, Stakeholder & Program Interaction

• Communicate technical status, risk assessments, and trade-study results to senior management, customers, or partners
• Support payload design authority in system design reviews, power/structure/thermal interfaces, and mission operations assessments
• Liaise with electrical, power, structures, thermal, software, ground-segment, and mission-operations teams to resolve integration issues early
• Support B&P (Phase 0 & pre-phase A)

Integration & Verification (IVV)

• Develop payload verification master plan covering unit, subsystem, and payload-level testing, including environmental and EMC campaigns
• Lead test automation setup, test-case definition, results analysis, and certification

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and guide junior engineers and interns
• Act as technical liaison with customers, partners, and external vendors
• Act as continuous improvement stakeholder
• Contribute to knowledge base, process enhancements, and standards development

Configuration, Documentation & Standards Management

• Ensure all artifacts, analysis, software, deliverables, and documentation are version controlled in PLM environment
• Lead and support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR/TRR, etc.)
• Support technology road-mapping & innovation

On-Orbit & Operations Support

• Provide technical support to mission operations for payload monitoring, contingency handling, and performance trending
• Lead root-cause investigations for on-orbit anomalies; update design baselines and lessons learned
• Analyze telemetry, update filter parameters, and generate performance reports
• Support SOOH development and operator training

Required Qualifications:

• B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Physics with 8+ years of digital regenerative payload system design experience on LEO/MEO missions
• Strong knowledge of digital communications, SDR, DSP, DVB RCS/SX protocols, modulation schemes, networking, MPLS, 2G, 5G NTN
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills
• Solid understanding of aerospace systems engineering fundamentals
• Hands-on experience with system integration and problem-solving
• Experience with Confluence and JIRA
• Ability to work independently
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills in English; French is an asset