At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop digital communication systems for satellite technology.
- Company: Join Open Cosmos, a mission-driven company making space accessible.
- Benefits: Work with cutting-edge tech and a supportive, diverse team.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in solving global challenges from space.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of digital systems and satellite communications.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before. The Satcom team is responsible for the design, delivery and performance of Open Cosmos’ satellite communications services, spanning the space segment, ground infrastructure and global connectivity.
Joining our Satcom Solutions team, you’ll play a key role in developing the digital core of our communication payloads, ensuring performance, scalability, and resilience across complex satellite systems.
What will you be doing?
- Defining digital subsystem architectures across satellite payload and ground communication systems
- Translating high-level product and system requirements into scalable digital processing capabilities
- Collaborating across payload, network, air interface, and security domains to deliver cohesive digital designs
- Supporting future waveform and communication standard evolution including DVB-S2X and 3GPP NTN
- Assessing emerging FPGA, ASIC, SoC, and chiplet technologies for suitability within space-grade environments
- Leading Digital-in-the-Loop (DIL) modelling and prototyping activities to validate performance, latency, and power targets
- Deriving compute resource requirements including throughput, memory bandwidth, LUT utilisation, and DSP allocation
- Defining and governing high-speed digital interfaces including JESD204, SpaceWire, and high-speed Ethernet
- Supporting the integration of secure hardware capabilities including encryption, secure boot, and resilience mechanisms
- Translating architectural concepts into actionable specifications and interface control documentation for implementation teams
- Providing technical oversight across firmware and hardware development activities to ensure alignment with system intent
What You’ll bring
- Strong understanding of digital system architecture and high-performance processing within communication systems
- Capability to define and integrate complex digital subsystems across space and ground environments
- Knowledge of FPGA, ASIC, SoC, and emerging silicon technologies used within advanced processing systems
- Understanding of digital signal processing concepts and their application within satellite communications
- Familiarity with Software Defined Radio (SDR) architectures and regenerative payload concepts
- Ability to translate system requirements into compute resource and hardware utilisation needs
- Knowledge of high-speed digital interfaces including JESD204, SpaceWire, and Ethernet
- Understanding of signal integrity, synchronisation, and high-speed data transfer considerations
- Awareness of how digital processing impacts RF system performance including beamforming and pre-distortion techniques
- Proficiency in modelling and simulation using MATLAB, Simulink, or Python for system-level validation
- Understanding of hardware resilience and secure design principles within high-reliability or space-grade environments
- A systems-thinking mindset with a structured and analytical approach to performance, scalability, and technical trade-offs
This role will be based in any of our locations. To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location. When applying, please submit your CV in English.
Why Open Cosmos?
- Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe
- A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges
- A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team
Senior Digital Comms Payload Engineer in Harwell employer: Open Cosmos
Open Cosmos is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of space technology while contributing to meaningful global challenges. With a mission-driven culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration, employees benefit from a diverse and supportive team environment, as well as opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Join us to be part of a pioneering company that values your contributions and empowers you to make a real impact in the world of satellite communications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Digital Comms Payload Engineer in Harwell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal project that highlights your expertise in digital communications and satellite systems. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions related to FPGA, ASIC, and digital signal processing. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms – it shows you really understand your stuff!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Open Cosmos.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Digital Comms Payload Engineer in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Digital Comms Payload Engineer. Highlight your experience with digital system architecture and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in satellite communications.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that illustrate your understanding of FPGA, ASIC, and SoC technologies, as well as your experience with high-speed digital interfaces.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain complex concepts, making it easy for us to see how you fit into our Satcom Solutions team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Open Cosmos
✨Know Your Digital Systems
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of digital system architecture and high-performance processing. Be ready to discuss how you've defined and integrated complex digital subsystems in past projects, especially in space or ground environments.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with FPGA, ASIC, and SoC technologies. Have examples ready that demonstrate your familiarity with high-speed digital interfaces like JESD204 and SpaceWire, as well as your knowledge of digital signal processing concepts.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
Since this role involves working across various domains, think of instances where you've collaborated with different teams. Highlight how you’ve contributed to cohesive digital designs and supported integration efforts, especially in relation to secure hardware capabilities.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions that assess your systems-thinking mindset. Prepare to discuss how you've approached performance, scalability, and technical trade-offs in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your structured and analytical approach to challenges.
