Senior PNT Systems Engineer, Partner Solutions

GermanyRemoteFull-timesenior

Systems EngineerInfrastructure & Cloud

0 views0 saves0 applied

Apply Now

Quick Summary

Overview

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior PNT Systems Engineer, Partner Solutions based in Germany.

Technical Tools

Systems EngineerInfrastructure & Cloud

Take on a senior technical role supporting the integration of advanced satellite-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technology across European markets. You will serve as the primary technical partner for external engineering teams, guiding system designs from initial architecture through production and long-term support. Combining deep expertise in GNSS receivers, embedded systems, and radio-frequency engineering, you will solve complex integration challenges and optimize system performance. You will also lead international field-test campaigns to evaluate resilience against satellite navigation interference and other demanding operating conditions. Working closely with engineering teams across multiple disciplines, you will translate real-world findings into product improvements. This opportunity offers hands-on technical leadership at the intersection of satellite communications, precision timing, and mission-critical navigation systems.

You will lead partner integration activities, provide expert engineering guidance, and oversee laboratory and field validation to ensure reliable performance across complex PNT applications.

Serve as the primary technical interface for European partners, supporting system architecture, integration, production readiness, and ongoing technical support.
Guide the integration of PNT application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), including RF front ends, reference clocks, power sequencing, host interfaces, thermal and size, weight, and power (SWaP) considerations, and provisioning workflows.
Review partner schematics, printed circuit board layouts, and bills of materials, identifying required design changes and providing clear technical recommendations.
Develop and maintain design guides, application notes, reference designs, interface control documents, and troubleshooting procedures.
Lead partner hardware bring-up and debugging, remotely and on-site, to resolve RF, clocking, boot, firmware, and host-interface issues.
Define and support acceptance testing and performance verification, covering sensitivity, time to first fix (TTFF), accuracy, holdover, and interference resilience.
Reproduce partner configurations in laboratory environments and support evaluation hardware, firmware, and host tools.
Plan and lead field-test campaigns, including international GNSS jamming, spoofing, and meaconing tests, as well as partner-site trials.
Manage complete test campaigns, including objectives, test matrices, instrumentation, RF safety, logistics, data collection, and reporting.
Build and maintain portable, autonomous test systems incorporating software-defined radios, reference receivers, monitoring displays, and robust data-logging capabilities.
Analyze field-test results, including carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0), desensitization, automatic gain control (AGC), detection margins, and timing or positioning errors.
Translate recurring partner issues and test findings into product requirements, feature requests, firmware improvements, and performance enhancements.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders across ASIC, firmware, software, product, and engineering teams to resolve complex system issues and communicate partner progress, risks, and results.
Support the full product lifecycle through established engineering and change-control processes, while mentoring junior engineers on partner support, test design, and technical analysis.
Handle controlled technical data and hardware in compliance with applicable export-control regulations, licensing requirements, and authorization conditions.

Requirements

~3 min read

You are an experienced systems engineer with a strong background in satellite navigation, digital radio technologies, and embedded systems. You combine hands-on debugging and analytical capabilities with the communication skills needed to support international partners and coordinate complex technical projects.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant experience with digital radio systems, such as GPS/GNSS receivers, satellite communications, or software-defined radios.
Proven experience supporting external engineering teams integrating chipsets, modules, or subsystems.
Deep understanding of GNSS receiver design and navigation algorithms.
Practical embedded systems experience involving ARM, DSP, or FPGA architectures, C/C++, Python, Linux, and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Strong laboratory debugging skills using RF and digital measurement tools.
Working knowledge of RF front-end design and PNT clocking technologies, including TCXO and OCXO oscillators, phase noise, and holdover performance.
Experience defining and executing test plans, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation and field testing.
Proficiency in MATLAB, Octave, or Python for simulation, data analysis, and performance evaluation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with technical partners.
Strong analytical and independent working capabilities, including the ability to collaborate remotely across languages, time zones, and disciplines.
Professional fluency in English.
Legal authorization to work in the European country where you are based, without requiring sponsorship.
Ability to obtain the necessary entry authorizations for the United States, United Kingdom, and Schengen Area countries.
Willingness to travel approximately 25–40% of the time, primarily within Europe to partner sites and test ranges, with occasional travel to U.S. headquarters.
Availability to maintain working-day overlap with U.S. Eastern Time and to work outside normal hours during active test campaigns.
Valid driver's license for field deployments.
Ability to comply with applicable export-control obligations and any relevant licensing or agreement conditions.

Master's or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
Experience with GNSS interference testing and anti-jamming or anti-spoofing techniques.
Familiarity with European aerospace, defense, or precision-timing customers, as well as Galileo, OSNMA, and European PNT standards.
Experience supporting defense or government PNT programs.
Knowledge of signal-processing partitioning and fixed-point versus floating-point implementation trade-offs.
Hands-on experience with SDR platforms such as USRP, Pluto, HackRF, or GNU Radio.
Expertise in embedded Linux and system build environments.
FPGA development experience using VHDL or Verilog.
Familiarity with GNSS and timing interfaces, including NMEA, UBX, PPS, NTP, and IEEE 1588.
Experience with manufacturing bring-up and design-for-test (DFT) practices.
Knowledge of ITAR, EAR, Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs), or other export-control requirements for international programs.
Professional proficiency in an additional European language.
Previous experience serving as an in-region technical representative for a supplier headquartered outside Europe.