Air Interface Architect (Satellite Communications)

Location: Hybrid in Harwell, UK; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; or Porto, Portugal. Legal right to work in the chosen location is required.

Company

hirify.global provides end-to-end satellite mission services and space-based data and connectivity for businesses, governments, and researchers.

What you will do

• Define and govern end-to-end PHY and MAC architecture for LEO satellite communication systems aligned with 3GPP NR-NTN and DVB-S2X.
• Translate Doppler effects, latency, beam movement, orbital dynamics, and visibility constraints into air interface requirements.
• Design waveforms, numerology, frame structures, resource allocation, coding, modulation, and link adaptation strategies.
• Architect MAC protocols covering scheduling, HARQ/ARQ, multiplexing, mobility, handover, synchronisation, timing advance, and frequency pre-compensation.
• Support integration with core network functions and define modem partitioning across FPGA/ASIC and software layers.
• Lead system-level and link-level modelling and simulation to validate performance and optimise design decisions.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of wireless communication systems and PHY/MAC architecture principles.
• Strong knowledge of 3GPP New Radio NTN standards and familiarity with DVB-S2X.
• Experience with waveform design, numerology, frame structures, resource allocation, channel coding, and modulation, including LDPC, Polar, and BCH.
• Strong understanding of link adaptation, CSI-driven optimisation, power control, scheduling, HARQ/ARQ, and resource multiplexing in high-latency environments.
• Knowledge of mobility management, synchronisation, orbital dynamics, and LEO communication constraints.
• Proficiency in system-level and link-level modelling, simulation, and modem architecture partitioning across FPGA/ASIC and software implementations.

Culture & Benefits

• Work on space technology and satellite communications serving customers around the globe.
• Contribute to a mission-driven effort to make space more accessible and address real-world challenges.
• Join a diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.
• Submit the application CV in English.