MEO

Term from Satellite Communications industry explained for recruiters

MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) is a type of satellite system that operates between 2,000 and 35,786 kilometers above Earth. Unlike older satellite systems that are much higher up, MEO satellites provide faster internet and communications because they're closer to Earth. Think of it like having cell phone towers at different heights - the closer they are, the quicker the signal travels. Companies like SES Networks and O3b use MEO satellites to provide internet and communication services to places where regular internet cables can't reach, like ships at sea or remote locations. When you see MEO in a job description, it usually relates to working with these kinds of satellite systems.

Examples in Resumes

Managed installation and maintenance of MEO satellite communication systems for maritime clients

Led technical support team handling MEO and Medium Earth Orbit network operations

Designed ground station equipment upgrades for MEO satellite connectivity

Typical job title: "Satellite Communications Engineers"

Also try searching for:

Satellite Systems Engineer SATCOM Engineer Telecommunications Engineer RF Engineer Ground Station Engineer Satellite Operations Engineer Communications Systems Engineer

Where to Find Satellite Communications Engineers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a MEO satellite network outage affecting multiple customers?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain the systematic approach to identifying the problem source, coordinating with ground stations, implementing backup solutions, and managing customer communications throughout the incident.

Q: Describe your experience with MEO satellite network capacity planning.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of customer bandwidth needs, satellite coverage patterns, and how to optimize network resources across multiple geographic regions.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key differences between MEO and GEO satellite systems?

Expected Answer: Should explain that MEO satellites are closer to Earth than GEO (geostationary) satellites, providing faster response times but requiring more satellites for coverage, and discuss the practical implications for communications.

Q: How do you monitor MEO satellite signal quality?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic monitoring tools and metrics used to maintain service quality, including signal strength, latency, and interference detection.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is MEO and why is it important for satellite communications?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that MEO is Medium Earth Orbit, describe its basic advantages like lower latency compared to higher orbits, and its common applications.

Q: What basic equipment is used in MEO ground stations?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate familiarity with basic components like antennas, modems, and tracking systems used to communicate with MEO satellites.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of satellite communications
  • Monitoring of satellite signals
  • Basic troubleshooting
  • Equipment maintenance

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Network operations
  • Performance analysis
  • Customer support coordination
  • System optimization

Senior (5+ years)

  • Network architecture design
  • Capacity planning
  • Emergency response management
  • Team leadership

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic satellite communication principles
  • Lack of experience with RF systems
  • Unable to explain difference between satellite orbits
  • No knowledge of satellite communication regulations