Principal Satellite Networks Architect (UK)

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Full Time London, GB

Meridian is building a fundamentally new model for sovereign space infrastructure - delivering complete, owned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that provide governments and commercial operators with full control, assured access, and sovereign communications capability at a fraction of the cost of developing these systems independently.

Backed by leading venture capital investors and engineering partners, we are rapidly scaling the design, production, and deployment of the satellites, ground systems, and network infrastructure that will power Meridian's next-generation constellations.

Joining Meridian means working at the forefront of one of the world's most ambitious space programs underway today - designing and building constellations that will put sovereign connectivity within reach of nations and operators worldwide. You'll be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, where your work directly advances the design, development, and deployment of satellite constellations that governments and enterprises around the world will depend on for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.

Your Mission on the Team:

As our Principal Satellite Networks Architect, you will own the end-to-end systems architecture of the Meridian 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solution, bridging the space and ground segments. This role calls for a professional who can understand, define, and innovate macro-level architecture concepts, and translate them into highly detailed, practical specifications. You will be highly hands-on, possessing the ability to define, model, and deploy complex setups used to validate and develop the NTN architecture. In this multidisciplinary role, you will oversee deployment tasks across critical engineering domains. This includes:

• Lead the definition and development of Meridian Non-Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture.
• Own the requirements engineering, system specifications, traceability, concept of operations, and roadmap definition for Meridian ground segment RAN throughout its architecture and space segment interfaces.
• Drive RF system design, analysis and simulation work including link budgets, and antenna systems architecture for the Meridian ground segment.
• Execute beam design and coverage modelling including live testbed analysis of all NTN channel aspects.
• Lead the lab/testbed build, automating test execution, and conducting KPI measurements across complete end-to-end architecture.
• Collaborate with network core, OSS, and space segment architects to ensure end-to-end coherence of the Meridian RAN solution.

Basic Qualifications: Systems Engineering & Architecture:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Experience architecting and deploying complex system of systems architectures across satellite networks, satellite ground segments, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Deep knowledge of the 3GPP ecosystem and specifications, with a strong emphasis on 5G NTN, NG-RAN, or O-RAN splits.
• Expertise in RF system design, link budgets, and NTN channel models involving delay, Doppler, and fading.
• Experience executing beam design, coverage modeling, and traffic demand and capacity assessments utilizing industry standard constellation modeling and simulation toolkits.

Integration & Test Automation Toolkit:

• Familiarity with emulator-based testbeds (e.g., Keysight/Spirent), physical RF channel emulators, system modeling frameworks, and CI/CD platforms for test automation.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to translate technical analyses for senior leadership and collaborate across RF, network, security, and business stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Experience in leading multi-disciplinary development and mentoring engineering teams.
• Hands on lab experience integrating 5G gNB (CU/DU/RU), 5GC, and OSS/BSS systems into an end-to-end NTN testbed.
• Proficiency in protocol tracing and troubleshooting interfaces such as RRC, NG, and F1.
• Expertise in Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and cloud computing technologies.
• Proficiency in scripting, automation, or physical simulation tools to drive automated link budget analysis and telemetry assessments.
• Experience with multi-tenant or multi-slice 5G deployments, including QoS and policy control.
• Previous participation in standardization fora (3GPP, O-RAN, ETSI NFV, GSMA) or open-source telco projects.
• Experience working in ESA, defense, or similarly regulated environments.

Meridian Space UK Limited is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.