Head of Payload —Hyper

Location: Norway-based (residence in Norway required). On-site at KSAT in Norway, with travel to supplier, partner, and launch sites as needed.

KSAT (Kongsberg Satellite Services) is developing Hyper, a first-of-its-kind low-latency connectivity service enabling rapid access to mission-critical data from orbit. KSAT Hyper integrates real-time data delivery, inter-satellite links, and advanced ground-network orchestration to meet the evolving needs of modern space operations.

The Hyper payload and communications scope is delivered through a mix of external suppliers and internal engineering, spanning three concurrent lanes: the Hyperion in-orbit demonstration, the mmL1 operational constellation, and the Hyper Comms user-terminal and ground-modem products. A significant share of the hands-on payload and comms build is delivered by an external supplier under a defined Statement of Work, alongside separate spacecraft-bus providers, ground-network partners, and additional suppliers.

We are seeking a Head of Payload to be KSAT’s internal technical authority and single point of accountability for the Hyper payload. This is a senior, Norway-based leadership role for someone who can own the payload end-to-end from the client side—setting requirements, governing the gates, and holding the payload together across every party that touches it. The Head of Payload reports to the VP, KSAT Hyper, and sits within the Hyper management group alongside the Head of Programs, Head of Software, Head of Regulatory & Spectrum Affairs, Director of Business Development, and Head of Marketing & Communications.

As Head of Payload, you will:

• Serve as KSAT’s internal owner and technical authority for the Hyper payload, from concept through integration, in-orbit demonstration, and flight delivery.
• Manage the external payload & communications supplier: own requirements flow-down, milestone and acceptance criteria, design reviews, and delivery against the Statement of Work.
• Coordinate and hold accountable all other delivery parties—internal engineering, spacecraft-bus / platform providers, ground-network partners, and additional suppliers—ensuring their scope, interfaces, and schedules stay aligned.
• Own cross-lane payload architecture and interface definition (RF, data, power, thermal, command/telemetry) between payload, spacecraft bus, and ground segment.
• Plan and chair the payload gate reviews (KO, PDR, CDR, TRR); define entry and exit criteria; and drive open decisions to dated closure.
• Own the payload risk register, integrated schedule inputs, and status reporting to the Program Manager and Head of Engineering.
• Adjudicate cross-lane trade studies (e.g., S- vs. Ka-band, RF vs. optical ISL, spread-spectrum resilience, waveform and HPA selection).
• Oversee payload calibration and the in-orbit test-and-demonstration campaign, including the dedicated ground calibration asset (MIMIC).
• Represent the payload in customer, partner, and launch-readiness discussions, ensuring technical alignment and mission readiness.

Key Focus Areas

• Internal ownership and technical authority for the Hyper payload
• Supplier and partner management—payload supplier, spacecraft-bus providers, ground network, and internal engineering
• Requirements, interface control, and acceptance across payload, bus, and ground
• Gate governance, schedule, and risk management for the payload scope
• RF / SDR / modem / antenna oversight and cross-lane trade studies
• In-orbit demonstration, calibration, and on-orbit test-campaign oversight

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Communications, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience with spacecraft communications systems, payload integration, or RF systems engineering, including time in a lead or technical-authority capacity.
• Proven experience managing external suppliers through requirements, qualification, review, and acceptance.
• Strong RF payload background (Ka/X/S-band), modems, antennas, amplifiers, and SDR platforms.
• Solid understanding of spacecraft bus interfaces (power, thermal, data, mechanical) and payload–bus integration.
• Track record chairing or supporting major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
• Excellent systems-engineering, interface-control, documentation, and multi-party coordination skills.
• Based in Norway: residence in Norway and eligibility to work in Norway are required for this role.

Preferred

• Experience as a client- or operator-side technical lead overseeing multiple suppliers concurrently.
• Familiarity with inter-satellite links (RF and optical) and ground-network orchestration.
• Experience with network and link protocols (e.g., CCSDS, DTN, DVB-S2).
• Familiarity with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo, CORE).
• Background in in-orbit demonstration, LEOP/commissioning, or on-orbit test campaigns.
• Previous work in commercial or dual-use communications programs.

Why Join Hyper

• Hold full internal ownership of a next-generation payload at the intersection of space, networking, and real-time systems—and the mandate to steer every party delivering it.
• Join a venture that combines start-up velocity with the deep technical legacy of KSAT’s global ground infrastructure.
• Work with a high-trust team that values autonomy, technical excellence, and bold execution.
• Competitive compensation and a Norway-based role on a mission that matters.

KSAT - A Stellar Workplace

We are a rapidly growing organization with solid finances. With us, you get skilled and committed colleagues, a flexible and varied everyday life, opportunities to grow and a unique opportunity to help develop an exciting future for KSAT. If this wasn't enough, we also offer, among other things:

• We are a social group who do things outside of work, both under the auspices of the company and on private initiative. Here you will be included from day one.
• Competitive salary conditions, training courses, training room at work that employees are free to use, very good health insurance and pension schemes, telephone and mobile subscriptions, company cabin, support for sports, etc
• An environment you are guaranteed to learn from - regardless of your level of expertise today. You will join an environment with high competence and with a strong desire and will to deliver world-class quality - at all levels of the organisation.

KSAT sees the importance to ensure diversity in the company by taking gender, age, and cultural background into account during recruitment. Candidates must be eligible to obtain NATO- and/or Norwegian security clearance. This is a firm requirement for the position, and candidates in final stages will go through a background check done by Semac. We review applications on an ongoing basis.

Get to know us better through - SPACE UP YOUR CAREER: https://karriere.ksat.no/ - we are looking forward to hearing from you!