Digital Transformation Innovation Engineer

Job description

Who We Are: At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide. Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical. At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most. #LI-Remote What You'll Do: The Strategy & Innovation team is seeking a Digital Transformation Innovation Engineer to prototype, test, and deliver next-generation digital capabilities across satellite communications platforms, cloud-based data architectures, and AI-driven automation frameworks. As part of the Strategy & Innovation team, you will play a hands-on role in advancing digital transformation initiatives through the application of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Agentic AI, advanced analytics, and software-defined radio technologies within the satellite communications domain. Working across engineering, software development, operations, and business teams, you will help architect and deliver scalable, secure, and data-driven solutions that improve operational effectiveness, enhance decision-making, and accelerate mission outcomes — turning innovative concepts into tangible prototypes and production-ready capabilities. Agile Multi Waveform (AMW) Delivery & Prototyping • Prototype and test the delivery of virtualized Agile Multi Waveform (AMW) Satellite Communications platforms, ensuring end-to-end system validation and operational readiness • Validate multiple DIFI-compliant Digitizers, ensuring interoperability and compliance with Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) standards • Evaluate critical Software Defined Radio (SDR) waveforms for performance, reliability, and mission suitability • Orchestrate the AMW platform integration, coordinating across hardware, software, and network components to deliver a cohesive operational capability Cloud-Based Data Lake & Business Innovation • Drive the use-cases for a new Cloud-based Data Lake to create new business opportunities and unlock data-driven insights across the organization • Leverage Generative AI to describe and analyze satellite capacity pool plans, enabling intelligent capacity management and forecasting • Apply Generative AI techniques to identify, characterize, and report modem anomalies, improving operational visibility and predictive maintenance • Support enterprise data architecture strategies that enable effective data governance, analytics, automation, and interoperability across business and operational systems • Contribute to data management, analytics, and reporting frameworks that enable actionable insights and operational visibility Agentic AI & Workflow Automation • Prototype new Agentic AI use-cases to streamline Satellite Communication workflows, reducing manual effort and accelerating mission delivery • Focus on Agentic AI applications in relation to virtualized AMW deliverables, enabling intelligent orchestration and autonomous decision-making within virtualized environments • Develop and implement solutions leveraging AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation technologies to improve operational performance and business outcomes General Technical Contributions • Support the systems engineering, architecture, and integration of digital engineering and technology modernization initiatives within Strategy & Innovation • Contribute to system architectures, technical roadmaps, requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies for enterprise software and data platforms • Design and implement API-based integrations between internal and external systems, applications, and services • Collaborate with software engineering teams to ensure system requirements, architecture, and technical solutions are aligned with business objectives • Develop technical documentation, system designs, interface specifications, and engineering artifacts throughout the system lifecycle • Support customer engagements, technical presentations, and strategic planning efforts as a subject matter contributor Who You Are: You are an engineer who understands that the future of satellite communications lies at the intersection of software-defined radio, cloud technologies, enterprise data, automation, and artificial intelligence. You thrive on solving complex, multidisciplinary challenges by connecting engineering principles with modern digital capabilities that improve mission execution and business performance. You are comfortable prototyping virtualized platforms, contributing to cloud-based data lake architectures, designing Agentic AI workflows, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and supporting strategic technology decisions. Your ability to bridge systems engineering with software development, cloud platforms, and digital engineering practices enables you to deliver practical, scalable solutions that create measurable operational value. Most importantly, you are driven by innovation, continuous learning, and the opportunity to shape how next-generation technologies — including Generative AI and Agentic AI — are adopted across the organization to transform satellite communications operations. Qualifications Required • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related technical discipline • 0-3+ years of experience in systems engineering, digital engineering, software integration, cloud architecture, data analytics, or related technical fields • Experience designing or implementing cloud-based solutions within commercial, government, or defense environments • Understanding of software development methodologies, system architectures, and enterprise integration patterns • Experience developing, integrating, or working with RESTful APIs, web services, and software interfaces • Experience with data analytics platforms, visualization tools, automation technologies, or enterprise data environments • Experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform • Knowledge of AI, machine learning, Generative AI, advanced analytics, and their practical application to operational and business challenges • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences • Ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional technical teams Preferred • Experience with Satellite Communications, Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies and waveform development • Knowledge of DIFI (Digital IF Interoperability) standards and compliant digitizer systems • Experience with virtualized Agile Multi Waveform platforms or similar multi-carrier satellite communication systems • Experience with enterprise data architectures, data lakes, data warehouses, or large-scale analytics environments • Experience with Generative AI frameworks (e.g., large language models, retrieval-augmented generation) • Experience with Agentic AI systems and autonomous workflow orchestration • Familiarity with Digital Engineering strategies, tools, and processes • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools • Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and orchestration technologies • Knowledge of robotic process automation (RPA) and workflow automation platforms • Experience supporting defense, aerospace, telecommunications, or satellite communications programs • Understanding of satellite communications architectures, network management systems, ground segment operations, or space mission operations • Relevant industry certifications in cloud computing, AI/ML, software architecture, cybersecurity, or data engineering SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position’s location, the candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense’s benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.