Payload Systems Engineer

Aerospace Mid-level (L4 equivalent) 2-5 years

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SpaceX

Boeing

Lockheed Martin

Blue Origin

Northrop Grumman

Rocket Lab

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The job description

Tech stack. Optical/RF payload modeling tools, STK, thermal analysis, interface control documents, requirements tools, Python/MATLAB

About the role

You will join the payload team of a space company responsible for the instruments and systems that give the mission its purpose: cameras, sensors, communications payloads, or scientific instruments. The team owns payload design, integration, and on-orbit performance. This role matters because the bus exists to serve the payload: your systems engineering ensures the instrument achieves its performance requirements in the harsh reality of space, not just in the lab. You will be the advocate for the instrument in every program discussion, ensuring bus-level decisions about power, thermal, pointing, and data handling never compromise the payload's ability to perform its mission. Your interface management will be meticulous, because payload anomalies so often trace to misunderstood interfaces: thermal environments harsher than specified, vibration inputs nobody analyzed, data protocols with undocumented quirks. You will balance protecting the payload with being a reasonable partner to the bus team, negotiating with data rather than demands. You will plan for the on-orbit phase from day one, because commissioning a complex instrument in space rewards those who rehearsed every step on the ground.

What you will achieve

Deliver payload systems meeting performance requirements (resolution, sensitivity, or throughput) verified through test and on-orbit calibration
Cut payload integration issues by 35 percent through rigorous ICDs covering mechanical, thermal, electrical, data, and contamination interfaces
Own payload performance budgets: radiometric, pointing, thermal stability, and data throughput with margins tracked to launch
Drive environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibe, EMC) tailored to payload sensitivities with anomalies resolved before flight
Ship on-orbit commissioning plans executed successfully: first light, calibration, and performance validation against requirements
De-risk on-orbit commissioning by developing detailed operational procedures rehearsed end-to-end in ground testing before launch

What you will bring

Must-haves

2 to 5 years of experience in space payload engineering: EO/IR sensors, RF payloads, or scientific instruments
Strong understanding of payload physics relevant to your domain: optics, radiometry, antenna theory, or detector physics
Systems engineering skills: requirements flow-down, interface management, and verification planning
Working knowledge of space environments and their payload impacts: radiation, thermal cycling, contamination, and micro-vibration
Experience with payload testing: thermal vacuum, vibration, and performance characterization
Ability to manage supplier relationships for complex instrument deliveries
Clear documentation for ICDs, test plans, and performance verification reports

Nice-to-haves

Experience with on-orbit calibration and performance trending
Knowledge of export control (ITAR/EAR) for payload technologies
Familiarity with agile or responsive space payload development
Exposure to hosted payload or rideshare integration constraints
Experience with radiometric calibration facilities and techniques