5G/6G Network Engineer - IRIS² [26057]

HE Space is a successful international space company, specialised in providing managed services and human resources to the international space sector for over 40 years.

We hire space experts all over Europe across the whole spectrum of space-related activities, from engineering to science, software development, operations, marketing, finance and administration. Our employees contribute towards a wide range of groundbreaking space programmes including Galileo and Copernicus, ExoMars, Iris2, ESA BASS, ESA GSPT, LISA Pathfinder, Euclid, the Ariane and Vega launchers as well as the International Space Station.

HE Space has joined forces with CS Group and Sopra Steria to lead the engineering and digital space market in Europe and to provide highly skilled consulting.

We are passionate about people and invest in you to support the development of the European space industry. 

Provide System Engineering support in relation to ESA in-house activities for IRIS² entrusted tasks in 

the area of 5G/6G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks).

Support shall include system engineering activities in the following areas:

• development of 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack (both on-board and on-ground) for IRIS². This shall consider different implementations (Split 2, full gNB on board) and the related trade-offs;
• end-to-end system validation (both in the lab and in-orbit) of the 5G gNB, following closely the development and ensuring that any deviation is properly addressed;
• Close follow up of interface between spacecraft and ground including interface with 5G Core network., payload, ground, and external systems;
• Definition and development of 5G/6G test beds for end-to-end validation of NTN protocols with representative hardware (from UT to space gNB);
• Organization of related test campaigns using in-orbit experiments to support derisking of 5G development;
• Close follow-up of 3GGP standardization activities to ensure they are aligned with IRIS2 baseline;
• Support to the standardizations by contributing with the necessary work items/technical papers.

Activities may include:

• Requirements engineering and consolidation (for the system and for the testbed);
• Functional and physical architecture definition;
• Design trade-off analysis;
• Interface definition;
• Technical risk assessment;
• Definition and execution of test campaigns;
• Analysis of non-conformances.

The Contractor shall support ESA in the review of industrial contract technical milestones, including but not limited to:

• Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR);
• Critical Design Reviews (CDR);
• Qualification Reviews (QR);
• In-Orbit Validation Review (IOVR);
• Service Declaration (SD);
• This support shall include:• Technical assessment of industrial deliverables;
• Preparation of review comments.

The above activities shall result in:

• Technical Notes;
• System models and simulation results;
• Review Item Discrepancies (RIDS);
• Trade-off Reports;
• Engineering models (MBSE);
• Test plans and Test campaign results;
• Supporting technical papers for standardization bodies (3GPP);
• Contribution to DCNs for requirements change.

You will have the following qualifications and relevant experience:

• Master in Engineering or equivalent university degree;
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in system engineering for advanced communication systems (preferably satellite, 5G/6G, or NTN);
• Strong knowledge of 5G/6G architecture, gNB implementations (e.g., Split 2, full on‑board gNB), and 5G Core integration;
• Hands-on experience with NTN protocols, satellite–ground interfaces, and protocol stack development;
• Proven ability to design system architectures, perform trade-off analyses, manage interfaces, and handle requirements engineering;
• Experience developing and operating testbeds, and planning/executing lab and in-orbit test campaigns;
• Familiarity with 3GPP standardization, including contribution to work items or technical papers;
• Skilled in V&V, non‑conformance analysis, and preparing technical documentation (technical notes, test plans, RIDs, trade-off reports);
• Experience participating in or supporting major reviews (PDR, CDR, QR, IOVR);
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills;
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another European language is an advantage.

This job is located in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

If you think you have what it takes for this job, please send your CV (in English and in Word or PDF), to Michaela Stevenson, by clicking on the button “Apply for this job” quoting job NL-HP-26057.

An exciting and dynamic international working environment awaits you!

Inclusive and committed employer, our company works every day to combat all forms of discrimination and promote a respectful working environment. That's why, committed to gender diversity and overall inclusivity, we encourage all applications and profiles.

Inclusive and committed employer, our company works every day to combat all forms of discrimination and promote a respectful working environment. That's why, committed to gender diversity and overall inclusivity, we encourage all applications and profiles. Last apply date: 10/04/2026!