Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You'll Do:

The Senior Gateway Installation and Operations Engineer plays a critical role in the installation, integration, maintenance, and operational readiness of satellite communications gateways and supporting service platforms. This field-focused position works closely with Engineering, Operations, subcontractors, and customers to ensure gateway infrastructure is installed, configured, documented, tested, and successfully transitioned into operations. The position requires extensive hands-on experience with satellite gateway systems, RF/IF signal paths, IP networking, modem platforms, antennas, and supporting infrastructure. In addition to supporting gateway installations and operational activities, this role serves as a technical lead during field deployments, coordinating installation teams, schedules, customer requirements, testing, and technical deliverables. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to operate independently in domestic and international environments are essential.

• Lead and support the installation, integration, commissioning, testing, and operational turnover of satellite communications gateways and associated service platforms
• Perform gateway site surveys, readiness assessments, infrastructure audits, configuration reviews, and operational compliance evaluations
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot multi-band, multi-orbit, and multi-vendor SATCOM systems
• Support gateway operations, including carrier activations, RF lineups, antenna peak and polarization activities, redundancy testing, system monitoring, and service restoration
• Troubleshoot end-to-end RF and IF signal paths, including antennas, waveguide systems, HPAs, BUCs, LNAs, LNBs, frequency converters, splitters, combiners, switches, modems, and monitoring equipment
• Validate RF performance using spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, test modems, and other applicable test equipment
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on gateway RF, IF, networking, compute, power, timing, and monitoring infrastructure
• Develop and maintain physical and logical network diagrams, RF/IF signal-flow diagrams, rack elevations, cable schedules, equipment inventories, and complete as-built documentation
• Create and execute installation procedures, methods of procedure, test plans, maintenance procedures, standard operating procedures, and acceptance documentation
• Identify site deficiencies, operational risks, single points of failure, configuration inconsistencies, and lifecycle concerns, and provide recommended corrective actions
• Coordinate field activities with gateway operations, network operations centers, platform engineering, service delivery, logistics, vendors, subcontractors, and customer representatives
• Support incident, problem, change, release, and configuration-management activities affecting gateway and platform environments
• Verify that installations comply with approved engineering designs, customer requirements, safety standards, cybersecurity requirements, and organizational configuration standards
• Support equipment staging, inventory validation, shipping coordination, installation planning, and material readiness for field deployments
• Provide remote and on-site technical support during service activations, maintenance events, outages, testing, and system upgrades
• Serve as a technical project lead or provide work leadership to employees, vendors, and subcontractors during gateway deployments and maintenance activities
• Prepare technical reports, audit findings, trip reports, test results, maintenance records, and management-level status updates
• Provide technical descriptions and contribute to the development of technical solutions in support of proposals, estimates, and customer requirements
• Attend appropriate engineering, operations, customer, safety, project, and business meetings
• Maintain awareness of current and emerging SATCOM, RF, networking, gateway, and platform technologies
• Travel up to 25% in support of CONUS and OCONUS gateway installations, audits, maintenance activities, service activations, and operational requirements

Who You Are:

You are an experienced field engineer with a strong foundation in satellite gateway operations, RF systems, and IP networking. You enjoy working hands-on with complex communications infrastructure, whether commissioning new gateway capabilities, troubleshooting operational issues, or supporting critical maintenance activities. You are comfortable leading field efforts, collaborating with customers and cross-functional teams, and producing the technical documentation required to successfully transition systems into operations. With strong troubleshooting skills, sound technical judgment, and a commitment to operational excellence, you thrive in environments where reliability, precision, and customer success are paramount.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related technical field, or a minimum of eight years of relevant experience with complex RF, network, gateway, and satellite communications systems. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Demonstrated hands-on experience installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting satellite gateway systems
• Strong working knowledge of satellite communications, RF/IF systems, signal flow, link fundamentals, and gateway operations
• Experience troubleshooting RF and IF equipment, including antennas, amplifiers, BUCs, LNBs, converters, switching systems, and modem platforms
• Experience using RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, power meters, and related diagnostic tools
• Strong understanding of IP networking, routing, switching, VLANs, network security, and structured troubleshooting methodologies
• Ability to develop and interpret system drawings, rack elevations, network diagrams, RF/IF diagrams, cable schedules, and engineering documentation
• Proven ability to complete technical installations, maintenance activities, and project deliverables on schedule
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions while operating at remote customer or gateway locations
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to coordinate effectively with customers, operations personnel, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors
• Active DoD Secret clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid passport and meet applicable international travel requirements
• Ability to travel up to 25% throughout CONUS and OCONUS locations, including travel with limited advance notice when operationally required
• Five or more years of direct field experience supporting satellite gateway, teleport, hub, or platform environments preferred
• Experience with gateway commissioning, antenna lineups, carrier activations, peak and polarization activities, and operational acceptance testing preferred
• Experience with modem platforms such as iDirect Evolution or Velocity, Comtech, Hughes, Gilat, or software-defined radios preferred
• iDirect Evolution or Velocity Installation, Operation, and Maintenance certification, or an equivalent platform certification preferred
• Experience supporting multi-orbit services, including GEO and MEO satellite systems preferred
• Experience with timing and synchronization systems, including 10 MHz references, GPS sources, and network time services preferred
• Experience supporting redundant gateway architectures, failover testing, and service continuity validation preferred
• Experience with monitoring and management platforms such as ScienceLogic, DataMiner, Grafana, or comparable systems preferred
• Experience producing AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio, or comparable technical drawings and as-built documentation preferred
• Familiarity with ITIL, Agile, project management, change management, and configuration management practices preferred
• Relevant technical certifications such as CCNA, JNCIA, CompTIA Network+, Linux+, Security+, PMP, or equivalent preferred
• Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, NATO, or other mission-critical communications environments preferred

Physical & Field Requirements:

• Ability to work in gateway equipment rooms, teleports, antenna areas, rooftops, warehouses, and other field environments
• Ability to safely lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance when required
• Ability to work around equipment racks, raised floors, ladders, cabling infrastructure, antennas, and energized telecommunications equipment
• Ability to support maintenance windows, after-hours activities, and extended field deployments when required by operational needs

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

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