{"id":3006113,"url":"https://alion.io/job/open-cosmos-satcom-payload-architect","title":"Satcom Payload Architect","company":{"id":51554,"name":"Open Cosmos","domain":"open-cosmos.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/open-cosmos","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Teamtailor","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":93,"open_postings":29,"ghost_share":0.034,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":177,"computed_at":"2026-11-04T06:34:25Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Didcot, United Kingdom","Barcelona, Spain"],"countries":["GB","ES"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":98000,"max_usd":197000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":96},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Digital Twin","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2025-12-31T15:50:31Z","employer_posted_date":"2025-12-31","last_verified_at":"2026-11-04T10:01:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":307,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":307},"description":"Aim high, go beyond!\nAt 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 - ready for the challenge? Then read on…\nWorking in the Satcom Team\nThe Satcom Team is responsible for modelling, simulating, and continuously optimising the performance of Open Cosmos’ satellite communication infrastructure. This includes the space segment, inter-satellite links, terminals, and ground connectivity, ensuring our end-to-end systems deliver reliable, efficient, and scalable service under dynamic conditions.\nWe work with cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins, autonomous networks, and large-scale constellation models. The team plays a key role in design validation, mission planning, and performance-driven engineering decision-making.\nWhat will you be doing?\nAs Satcom Payload Architect, you will own the end-to-end technical architecture of next-generation satellite payloads, ensuring that service intent, payload design, and satellite implementation are fully aligned.\nYou will:\nDefine the complete payload architecture, with a strong focus on digitally processed, highly flexible, and scalable solutions for LEO constellations.\n\nAct as the technical bridge between Satcom Solutions (service definition) and Satellite Infrastructure (spacecraft delivery).\n\nTranslate service-level requirements (throughput, latency, availability) into clear, verifiable technical specifications across all payload subsystems.\n\nDrive critical SWaP, cost, and risk trade-offs, maximising performance per kilogram and watt.\n\nPerform detailed microwave link budgets and cascade analysis, ensuring mission performance under worst-case operational and thermal conditions.\n\nDefine architectures and requirements for:\nHigh-gain, dynamic beamforming antennas (multi-beam reflectors or APAAs)\n\nRF front-end chains (LNAs, SSPAs, frequency-agile converters)\n\nDigitally regenerative payload processors supporting multiple waveforms (DVB-S2X/RCS2, 3GPP NTN)\n\nHigh-data-rate inter-satellite links (optical and/or mmWave RF)\n\nArchitect high-stability frequency generation and signal conditioning chains to support resilient PNT alternatives to GNSS.\n\nDefine passive spectrum monitoring and geolocation capabilities to detect and localise RFI and jamming.\n\nDevelop the payload Concept of Operations (CONOPS), including autonomous modes, reconfiguration strategies, and failure detection/recovery.\n\nWork closely with satellite bus teams to ensure payload thermal, mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces are fully aligned.\n\nIn this role you will make decisions that directly shape what we build and fly.\nWhat You’ll bring\nDeep understanding of satellite communication payload architectures, particularly for LEO systems.\n\nStrong systems engineering mindset, including requirements definition, flow-down and verification.\n\nIn-depth knowledge of RF and microwave systems, including link budgets, noise figure, linearity and cascade effects.\n\nConfidence defining antenna systems, RF front ends, onboard processors and inter-satellite link architectures.\n\nSolid understanding of digital payloads, including DSP, SDR architectures and high-speed data conversion.\n\nComfort making informed trade-offs across performance, SWaP, cost and risk.\n\nFamiliarity with satellite communication standards such as DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2 and 3GPP NTN.\n\nAbility to work across hardware and software boundaries within complex space systems.\n\nCapability to produce clear, structured and verifiable technical documentation.\n\nA pragmatic, collaborative approach with a strong sense of accountability.\n\nThis role will be based in the UK or Spain.\nTo apply, you must have the legal right to work in this location.\nWhen applying, please submit your CV in English.\nWhy Open Cosmos?\nWork at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.\n\nA mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.\n\nA diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4064,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"},{"name":"Spain","iso":"ES","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Military Satellites","Satellite Manufacturing","Space Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-21T13:48:36Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"GB","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Licensed UK visa sponsor (Senior or Specialist Worker, Skilled Worker)","filings_12m":null,"filings_prev_12m":null,"green_card_filings_12m":null,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":"Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker; 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