Telecom Systems Team Lead

With our groundbreaking satellite 5G constellation OQ Technology is a global leader in IoT communication connectivity and associated services. We are a venture capital-backed company with a successful track record of satellite launches and are the first company in the world to disrupt the telecommunications industry by merging cellular 5G with satellites.

Our technology has massive implications for the Oil & Gas Maritime Industry 4.0 and Transport sectors particularly in the management and tracking of assets in remote and rural areas and in extending 5G coverage through non-terrestrial networks.

As our wireless technologies continue to evolve and earn multiple awards with funding for the next phase secured and strong commercial traction demonstrated we are now looking to onboard a talented Telecom Systems Team Lead to join our engineering team in Luxembourg and contribute to the continued growth and success of our organization.

The role is responsible for leading and growing OQ Technologys telecom engineering team and providing technical direction for the end-to-end telecommunication system underpinning the Companys 3GPP-based 4G/5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN). The Telecom Systems Team Lead brings together the Core Network physical-layer/DSP and protocol-stack disciplines into a coherent engineering roadmap with accountability for the architecture quality and delivery of the telecommunication stack from research and prototyping through to operational deployment on the Companys satellite missions.

The Telecom Lead manages the Senior Core Network Engineer Core Network Engineer DSP Algorithm Engineer Telecom Engineer and other engineers assigned to the telecom function setting priorities allocating work developing technical talent and providing technical and people-management leadership.

Team Leadership and People Management

Lead manage and grow the telecom engineering team including the Senior Core Network Engineer Core Network Engineer DSP Algorithm Engineer and Telecom Engineer providing day-to-day direction coaching and performance management.

Plan resourcing and recruitment for the team define roles and career paths and build the technical bench strength required to deliver the Companys telecommunication roadmap.

Set individual and team objectives conduct regular one-to-ones and performance reviews and support the professional development of each team member.

Foster a collaborative high-performance engineering culture across the core network DSP/physical layer and protocol-stack disciplines and ensure effective knowledge-sharing between them.

Own the technical onboarding of new engineers and ensure consistent engineering standards coding practices and design-review discipline across the team.

Technical Ownership and Architecture

Hold overall technical authority for the architecture and evolution of OQ Technologys telecommunication system spanning the Core Network (MME SPGW HSS OAM IREG IPX BCE and related functions) the physical layer/DSP chain and the NB-IoT/LTE/NR protocol stack adapted for NTN.

Define the technical roadmap and research strategy for new functions algorithms and system architectures for 4G/5G communication over Non-Terrestrial Networks and align it with the Companys product and mission timelines.

Review and approve system-level designs ensuring consistency and interoperability across core network baseband/DSP and protocol-stack workstreams and across the space ground and user segments.

Set and enforce engineering standards design-review practices and quality gates for networking architectures and control algorithms against latency high-availability and Quality of Experience requirements from prototype through operational deployment.

Own system performance models and lead cross-functional systems-engineering activities related to end-to-end system performance optimisation.

Guide the design and implementation of microservices-based real-time and near real-time applications (e.g. resource management NFV) and of DSP algorithms and baseband processing for the telecommunication payload and user terminals.

Oversee the development optimisation and continuous upgrade of the protocol stack(s) supporting current and future missions ensuring features are delivered against space and product team requirements.

Approve subsystem budgets and specifications (e.g. RF link budget power budget) and confirm regulatory and mission compliance in coordination with the systems engineering team.

Delivery Testing and Operations

Direct the full development lifecycle across the team from concept prototyping and proof-of-concept experimentation through implementation verification integration and deployment.

Ensure rigorous validation of telecommunication software and hardware features through simulation lab testing and end-to-end testing in simulated NTN environments (e.g. using channel emulators).

Oversee the maintenance upgrade and improvement of the internal telecommunications and RF lab and ensure appropriate configuration control and version management of all deliverables.

Support the space team with authoritative technical inputs for the design optimisation and maintenance of Operational and Demo Missions including mission needs expected performance dependability and safety goals.

Own the resolution of escalations and cross-team technical blockers and ensure timely transparent reporting of progress and risks to senior management.

Stakeholder Partner and Standards Engagement

Lead technical discussions and negotiations with external suppliers MNO/MVNO partners contractors and research institutes including evaluation of designs and acceptance of deliverables.

Represent the Company in standardisation bodies (e.g. 3GPP GSMA ITU) and lead the Companys technical contributions to relevant standardisation activities.

Own or contribute to technical documentation for project reviews including ESA-related deliverables and defend designs at formal project and customer reviews.

Work with and support teams across OQ Subsidiaries and manage technical interfaces with external partners and contracting organisations.

Planning and Reporting

Participate in project management and planning activities including proposals roadmaps budgets and resourcing for the telecom engineering function.

Provide regular reporting on team progress technical risks and delivery status to the Head of Engineering / CTO and other stakeholders.

Ensure proper documentation of all technology development undertaken by the team and maintain traceability for audits and project reviews.

Education

Masters degree (or higher) in Telecommunications Engineering Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering or a related field. A PhD is a plus.

Experience

Significant professional experience (typically 8 years) in telecommunications engineering spanning at least two of the following domains: core network (EPC/5GC) physical layer/DSP or protocol stack development.

Proven experience leading or mentoring engineering teams including performance management technical coaching and resource planning.

Hands-on experience with 3GPP-based 4G/5G systems; experience with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) or satellite communications is highly desirable.

Experience engaging with standardisation bodies (3GPP GSMA ITU) and managing relationships with external suppliers MNO/MVNO partners or research institutes.

Track record of taking systems from research/prototype through to operational deployment including verification and validation in lab and field environments.

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of Core Network architecture and functions (MME SPGW HSS OAM IREG IPX BCE) and of NFV/microservices-based network applications.

Solid understanding of physical-layer and DSP concepts (modem design baseband processing transceiver architecture) and of the NB-IoT/LTE/NR protocol stack.

Proficiency with relevant development and simulation tools (e.g. C/C MATLAB VHDL) and with CI/CD and version-control tools (e.g. Git).

Familiarity with systems-engineering practices including requirements derivation performance modelling and subsystem budgeting (e.g. RF link and power budgets).

Leadership and Personal Skills

Excellent leadership coaching and people-management skills with the ability to develop technical talent and build a high-performing team.

Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills able to engage effectively with senior management external partners and standardisation bodies.

Strong organisational and prioritisation skills able to balance strategic technical direction with hands-on problem-solving when required.

Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.

Willingness to travel occasionally for partner supplier or standardisation meetings.

Additional Information

As part of the recruitment process candidates may be required to provide a criminal record certificate issued within the last three (3) months.

• Enjoy a 50% income tax exemption on your salary - an exceptional incentive for top talent relocating to Luxembourg subject to eligibility conditions.
• Hybrid working environment.
• Opportunity to work on flagship EU space mission projects.
• A dynamic high-growth environment with career development opportunities.
• Regular company events and team activities.