SAR End-to-End Systems Engineer

NewSpace Technical is proud to be partnered with a pioneering European aerospace organisation at the forefront of small satellite innovation. This fast-growing company designs, develops, integrates, and operates advanced satellite platforms supporting the next generation of Earth Observation missions. With a fully integrated, end-to-end approach spanning spacecraft development, payload engineering, mission operations, and data delivery, they are redefining how agile and high-performance space missions are delivered. As part of their continued growth, we are seeking an experienced and driven SAR End-to-End Systems Engineer to join their multidisciplinary Systems Engineering team. This is a unique opportunity to take technical ownership of complete Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems, leading the design and performance of missions from payload definition through to ground processing and final Earth Observation products. This is an environment where collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence are highly valued, giving engineers the opportunity to work across the full mission lifecycle while helping shape the future of SAR-based Earth Observation.

Responsibilities

Defining and maintaining end-to-end SAR system architectures; Translating mission objectives and user needs into system-level requirements with full traceability; Leading SAR payload concept definition, system architecture studies, and technical trade-off analyses; Performing end-to-end performance analyses, including resolution, swath, NESZ, coverage, latency, and product quality; Ensuring alignment between payload design, calibration strategies, processing chains, and final EO data products; Supporting system and payload design reviews throughout the development lifecycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, QR); Collaborating closely with payload, systems, AIT, ground segment, and mission operations teams; Supporting commissioning, calibration, validation, and in-orbit performance activities; Producing and maintaining technical documentation to support project milestones and customer reviews

Requirements

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline; Approximately 5+ years’ experience within SAR systems, Earth Observation missions, or remote sensing; Strong analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving skills; Comfortable working within multidisciplinary engineering teams; Excellent communication skills in English; Strong understanding of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) principles and system performance; Experience defining end-to-end SAR architectures across payload, spacecraft, ground segment, and data processing; Knowledge of SAR performance metrics including resolution, swath width, NESZ, coverage, latency, and image quality; Experience with SAR processing chains and Earth Observation product generation; Systems engineering experience covering requirements management, architecture definition, and verification; Familiarity with ECSS standards and space engineering methodologies; Experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the spacecraft development lifecycle

Nice to have

Experience developing SAR systems for small satellites or satellite constellations; Knowledge of onboard processing and data compression techniques; Experience with EO product definition and user-driven mission design; Previous involvement in spacecraft commissioning, calibration, and validation activities; Experience supporting formal programme reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and QR