Solutions Architect, 4G/5G NTN - Spacetime UK

Aalyria is a leading technology company that supplies laser communications technology and temporospatial software-defined networking platforms to the aerospace industry. With technology acquired from Google, Aalyria is at the forefront of innovation in satellite and airborne mesh networks, as well as cislunar and deep-space communications. We are revolutionizing the orchestration and management of planetary mesh networks using any radio or optical spectrum, any orbit, and any hardware across land, sea, air, and space.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Solution Architect (SA) with deep expertise in end-to-end SATCOM and 3GPP mobile network architecture, spanning RAN, Core, transport, and service orchestration, with a strong focus on 4G/5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and Direct-to-Cell and their evolution toward 6G, to join our growing NTN/DTC team within the Spacetime division. The role sits at the intersection of space systems, cellular networks, and cloud-native telecom orchestration platforms, owning architectural definition, product evolution and definition, end-to-end system architecture technical trade-offs, and system-level optimization across the full stack, to be implemented in Aalyria’s Spacetime platform. The role also involves a heavy customer-facing component, with the candidate expected to be comfortable interfacing with customer stakeholders at all levels and be able to lead technical discussions with customers or prospective customers, with an eye towards business development.

Role Responsibilities:

• Understand and, in some cases, end-to-end system architectures for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) with knowledge of the end-to-end service chain (UE → RAN → Core → Transport/SDN (inc. front, mid and back-haul) → Service layer)
• Lead customer engagement and projects around architecture for LEO/GEO/MEO and multi-orbit satellite systems integrated with 3GPP 4G/5G (Rel-17+) and future 6G concepts
• Own architectural blueprints, interfaces, and decomposition across space segment, ground segment, and mobile network domains, in particular in their interactions with Aalyria’s Spacetime.
• Lead customer solution architecture, requirements collection and translation into Spacetime requirements and project execution
• Drive technology selection and trade-off analyses, where needed
• Drive technical proposal writing for commercial and public sector customers
• SATCOM and NTN RAN optimization, O-RAN SMO/RIC, SON & Radio Resource Management (RRM)
• Design and optimize radio resource management (RRM), scheduling, beam management, mobility, and interference coordination mechanisms
• Support development of customer resource management solutions and Spacetime algorithms to be implemented by Aalyria Spacetime software engineering team
• Address satellite/NTN-specific constraints (Doppler, delay, ephemeris, beam hopping, power limits, feeder link constraints)
• Drive the design and support the implementation in Spacetime of advanced orchestration and resource management capabilities for Direct-to-Cell architectures, including spectrum reuse, sharing and coexistence with terrestrial MNO networks
• Ensure RRM and Spacetime implementation alignment with regulatory and spectrum constraints (ITU-R, regional regulators)

Standards & Ecosystem:

• Understand, interpret and apply 3GPP specifications (RAN, SA, CT) relevant to Spacetime for NTN, SCS, and D2D and RAN OAM/orchestration (e.g. RAN3, SA2, SA5) and Mobility (e.g. RAN2, etc)
• Contribute to or interface with standards bodies and industry forums (e.g. 3GPP, ETSI, GSMA, O-RAN, ESA NTN Forum, MSSA, etc)

SDN, Cloud-Native, Network Orchestration & Automation:

• Design network and 3GPP RAN/CN function orchestration and FCAPS
• Define interfaces and APIs for automation, orchestration, and inter-domain coordination

Delivery & Stakeholder Interface:

• Lead specific technical customer or prospective customer engagements, proposals, including also applications to public sector grant proposals across US, UK, EU and globally (e.g. ESA, UKSA NTIA, NSF, etc) as needed, and conduct technical reviews
• Translate high-level requirements into implementable technical architectures
• Act as technical authority across engineering, product, and partner teams

Required Qualifications:

• Strong background in 4G/5G mobile network architecture (RAN + Core)
• Proven experience and understanding in SATCOM system architecture (space + ground)
• Deep understanding of 3GPP architecture, protocols, and interfaces
• Hands-on knowledge of RAN concepts: PHY/MAC, scheduling, mobility, beamforming, interference
• Experience producing architecture documents, system diagrams, and technical specifications
• Understanding of 3GPP APIs, RAN OAM and control plane concepts, networking protocols and interfaces
• Understanding of concepts of cloud native, NFV, orchestration and automation, network automation and orchestration APIs, etc
• Strong communication and leadership skills, ability to interface with business stakeholders in the telco, satcom and defense sectors at all levels and work collaboratively in a cross-cultural team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with NTN, SCS, or Direct-to-Cell systems
• Familiarity with 3GPP Rel-17+ NTN enhancements
• Experience and/or familiarity with satellite (GEO, MEO, LEO, etc) constellations and other aerospace systems and their challenges
• Knowledge of O-RAN (SMO, RIC, xApps/rApps)
• Knowledge of GSMA APIs
• Exposure to simulation, modeling, or digital-twin tools for radio or network planning.
• Experience with network orchestration and APIs
• Software engineering/development experience or experience with scripting and/or simulation languages
• Registered patents in relevant wireless communications techniques
• Publications in journals/conferences in the field of satellite or mobile communications

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to lead high-impact, innovative projects in the space technology and digital infrastructure domain.
• A dynamic, international environment collaborating with leading research centres and industrial partners.
• Competitive compensation package based on experience.
• Hybrid working policy with flexible arrangements.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies in space-ground integration, AI-driven networks, and cloud mission control.
• Pension
• Health insurance
• Equity

Work Requirements & Location:

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Work Location: Remote working within the UK.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Aalyria is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.