Systems Engineer - 5G RAN NTN

Overview

At ST Engineering iDirect, we’re reshaping the future of global connectivity. As a leader in satellite communications, our groundbreaking technology empowers customers to grow, innovate, and transform their networks. Here, your skills and passion meet our vision and expertise to create something extraordinary. If you're ready to tackle technology’s biggest challenges and redefine how the world connects, the most exciting chapter of your career awaits. With ST Engineering iDirect, the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning!

This role will serve as a technical authority supporting customer engagements, strategic pursuits, and solution development for next-generation 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and hybrid satellite–terrestrial architectures. This role, in CTO Office, bridges presales, system engineering, and customer-facing technical leadership, working closely with Product Management and System Architecture teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert for 5G, NTN, and satellite–terrestrial integrated network solutions.
• Lead complex technical presales engagements, supporting strategic customers, operators, and partners across global markets.
• Own and drive RFP/RFI/RFQ technical responses, including:
• End-to-end architecture design
• Technical compliance and assumptions
• Solution differentiation and risk analysis
• Design and present end-to-end 5G NTN system architectures, covering satellite payload, gateways, ground segment, and integration.
• Support customer workshops, solution deep dives, and executive-level presentations.
• Define and support technical demonstrations, trials, and pathfinder programs, including scope definition, system interfaces, and success criteria.
• Collaborate with satellite operators, chipset vendors, cloud providers, and ecosystem partners on technical feasibility and interoperability.
• Perform system-level engineering analysis, including:
• Architecture trade-offs
• Latency and performance considerations
• High-level link budget understanding
• Terrestrial–satellite integration impacts
• Support solution sizing, BOM development, and ROM pricing inputs, working closely with Sales and PLM teams.
• Provide technical input into long-term product and technology strategy, influencing roadmap direction based on customer and market requirements.
• Maintain strong awareness of 3GPP standards (including NTN), industry trends, and competitive landscape.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in systems engineering, telecommunications, computer science, or closely related field; MSCS/MSEE desirable

EXPERIENCE:

7+ years of industry experience in systems engineering, systems architecture design and Satcom.

• Strong experience in 5G networks, including RAN, cloud-native architectures, and service-based interfaces.
• Hands-on understanding of 5G NTN concepts, including LEO/MEO/GEO systems, gateways, regenerative/bent-pipe payloads, and hybrid architectures.
• Proven experience supporting RFP/RFI responses, customer demos, and solution engineering.
• Ability to operate across technical, commercial, and strategic discussions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with comfort engaging both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across.

This position involves access to hardware, software, technology, technical data, and/or services that may be regulated under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), U.S. sanctions laws administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other applicable export control, sanctions, and national security laws and regulations.

As a condition of employment, and where permitted by applicable law, candidates may be required to provide information necessary for the Company to determine whether any export license, governmental authorization, security clearance, or other regulatory approval is required before access to controlled items, technology, technical data, software, or services can be granted.

In addition to U.S. requirements, access to certain controlled information, technology, technical data, products, or services may be subject to export control, sanctions, national security, or similar regulatory requirements in other jurisdictions where the Company operates or conducts business. Any such requirements will be assessed and applied in accordance with applicable law.

The information that will be requested is limited strictly to what is required to comply with ITAR, EAR, and other applicable export-control, national security and sanctions laws. The Company does not otherwise discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of citizenship, national origin, or immigration status.  All applicants are evaluated on their qualifications, and export-control status information is collected and used solely for regulatory compliance purposes.