Systems Engineer (MilSatcom)

Belcan, LLC; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Defence & Space organisation is seeking a Systems Engineer to work on Military Satellite Communications in Portsmouth, UK. This role involves defining system architectures for key military projects and leading technical efforts to shape secure satellite communications. The ideal candidate should have a degree in a relevant field and experience in digital telecommunications systems, with strong skills in customer engagement and methodologies like Waterfall and Agile. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to national defence advancements.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related discipline.
• Experience in the design, integration, and deployment of end-to-end digital telecommunications systems.
• Familiarity with Waterfall and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Capture and define requirements from stakeholder needs through to sub-systems, ensuring traceability and verification.
• Support Verification, Validation & Test (VV&T) activities.
• Lead ground system architectural design definition and trade-off analysis.

Skills

End-to-end digital telecommunications systems

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Waterfall methodologies

Agile methodologies

Customer engagement

Satellite control knowledge

Education

Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications

Job description

Overview

Systems Engineer (Milsatcom) - Shape the Future of Military Satellite Communications

Location: Portsmouth, UK

An opportunity has arisen for a Systems Engineer to join a leading Defence & Space organisation, working on Military Satellite Communications (Milsatcom). The successful candidate will be part of a team of Lead Systems Engineers and Architects, contributing to diversified and future‑looking programmes.

The Systems Engineer will play a key role in defining system architectures for upcoming tender opportunities with the UK MOD (Skynet Enduring Capability) and other Milsatcom programmes—covering the space, control, and ground segments. This is a chance to be directly involved in the next wave of technologies shaping secure satellite communications.

Key Contributions

• Capture and define requirements from stakeholder needs through to sub-systems, ensuring traceability and verification.
• Support Verification, Validation & Test (VV&T) activities.
• Lead ground system architectural design definition and trade-off analysis.
• Collaborate with Engineering Leads and Partners in integrated working groups to define segment and sub-system architectures.
• Provide technical inputs for proposals and act as Solution Lead during customer and internal governance reviews.
• Offer technical support to bidding teams and contribute to project planning, scheduling, and cost activities.
• Keep stakeholders informed on progress and resolve technical challenges.

Candidate Profile

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related discipline.
• Experience in the design, integration, and deployment of end-to-end digital telecommunications systems (Milsatcom experience desirable), covering space, control, and ground segments.
• Familiarity with Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
• Expertise in defining solutions within an Architectural Framework using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (EA experience a plus).
• Strong customer and partner engagement skills.
• Working knowledge of satellite platforms and payloads, satellite control, mission control, and network control.
• Excellent presentation and writing skills.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than just a job—it's an opportunity to engineer history. The Systems Engineer will be part of programmes that set the standard for secure communications, with direct impact on national defence and the evolution of space-based networks.

This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan