Lead the RF system architecture for cutting-edge spaceborne Earth Observation payloads as a Microwave Radiometer RF Architect at Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe, Spain. This is a permanent, full-time professional role offering a hybrid working model, where you will steer end-to-end instrument design from concept to in-orbit commissioning.
Requirements
Master's degree (MSc) or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or Physics.
5 to 10 years of professional experience in remote sensing microwave instrument design and payload development for space applications.
Deep command of passive microwave sensing, brightness/noise temperature theory, calibration topologies, and simulation tools (Keysight ADS, CST Studio, ANSYS HFSS).
Advanced, negotiation-level English (mandatory, written and spoken); fluent Spanish valuable, French or German desirable.
Knowledge of ESA development lifecycles and ECSS standards is a plus.
Skills & Responsibilities
RF Architecture Definition & Trade-Offs: Define baseline architectures for spaceborne radiometer payloads from L-band up to sub-THz, balancing RF performance, mass, DC power, and thermal constraints.
Front-End & Calibration Engineering: Design and optimize high-sensitivity low-noise receivers and radiometric calibration subsystems while maintaining end-to-end budgets.
System Modeling & Simulation: Develop high-fidelity electromagnetic and circuit-level simulations using Keysight ADS, CST Studio, and ANSYS HFSS under operational flight conditions.
Verification & Technical Governance: Generate Verification Control Documents (VCD), lead TRL assessments, and establish ground support equipment specifications.
AIT & Test Campaign Leadership: Steer payload Assembly, Integration & Testing, environmental validation, and define in-orbit commissioning roadmaps following ECSS standards.
Potential transition routes: People from RF Engineer, Payload Design Engineer, or Satellite Systems Engineer roles may bring strong electromagnetic design and space hardware testing skills, alongside meeting advanced technical leadership and domain requirements.
Job description
Job Description:
An opportunity for a Microwave Radiometer RF Architect has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).
The selected candidate will join the Microwave Instrument Engineering Team, a specialized multidisciplinary department at the forefront of spaceborne Earth Observation (EO) payload engineering. In this technical leadership role, you will define and drive the RF system architecture for cutting-edge microwave and millimetre-wave (mmWave) radiometer payloads across current and next-generation satellite missions. You will steer end-to-end instrument design from early concept, TRL maturation, and customer milestones through to payload verification, ground testing, and in-orbit commissioning support.
Responsibilities
The main tasks of the jobholder will be:
RF Architecture Definition & Trade-Offs: Define baseline architectures for spaceborne radiometer payloads (L-band up to sub-THz) and lead technical trade-offs balancing RF performance, mass, DC power, and thermal constraints.
Front-End & Calibration Engineering: Design and optimize high-sensitivity low-noise receivers, RF front-ends, and internal/external radiometric calibration subsystems, maintaining end-to-end budgets (noise figure, noise temperature, dynamic range, and sensitivity).
System Modeling & Simulation: Develop high-fidelity electromagnetic and circuit-level simulations using tools such as Keysight ADS, CST Studio, and ANSYS HFSS to validate architecture concepts under operational flight conditions.
Verification & Technical Governance: Generate and maintain Verification Control Documents (VCD), lead Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessments, and establish ground support equipment (EGSE/MGSE) specifications.
AIT & Test Campaign Leadership: Steer payload Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT), environmental validation campaigns, and define in-orbit commissioning roadmaps in alignment with ECSS standards.
Milestone Leadership & Proposal Elaboration: Represent RF engineering in formal ESA/customer milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, TRB) and lead the technical baseline for future Earth Observation active and passive instrument proposals.
Skills
Is your profile aligned to the following list of skills? Apply! We are looking forward to getting to know you:
Education: Master’s degree (MSc) or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or Physics.
Experience: 5 to 10 years of professional experience in remote sensing microwave instrument design and payload development for space applications.
Technical Knowledge: Deep command of passive microwave sensing, brightness/noise temperature theory, calibration topologies, active/passive antenna interfaces, and advanced RF simulation suites (ADS, CST, HFSS).
Soft Skills: Proven technical leadership, strong capacity to interface with external customers, high autonomy in multi-project environments, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Languages: Advanced / Negotiation level in English (mandatory, written and spoken). Fluent Spanish is valuable; French or German is desirable.
Valuable / Nice to Have:Solid understanding of ESA development lifecycles and space engineering standards (ECSS, MIL-STD, CCSDS).Hands-on experience with RF flight equipment testing and requirements management tools (IBM DOORS).Direct track record in satellite hardware qualification and international space project consortia.Availability to travel for test campaigns and customer review meetings.
Which Benefits Will You Have as an Airbus Employee?
At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:
Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
Attractive salary.
Hybrid model of working when possible.
Collective transport service subject to working calendar/home location.
Benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
Option to access special rates in products & benefits.
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