Chief Engineer, Payload Integration

Role Overview

Serve as the technical authority for hosted payload missions, leading payload development from early mission concept through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations. Operate as a payload-focused Chief Engineer, owning payload performance, payload-to-bus integration, technical risk retirement, and mission success across communications, sensing, compute, and advanced technology payloads.

What You Will Do

Lead payload architecture, accommodation trades, and technical decision-making across hosted payload and payload-centric mission opportunities. Define and manage payload requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), verification plans, and configuration baselines.

Why It Might Be a Fit

You are a highly experienced spacecraft and payload systems engineer with a track record of leading complex payload missions from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of spacecraft payload integration across mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, power, RF, avionics, software, and mission operations domains
• Experience leading requirements development, interface management, verification and validation, configuration management, and technical risk mitigation activities
• Strong familiarity with spacecraft integration and test environments including cleanroom operations, environmental testing, EGSE/MGSE, and spacecraft-level integration workflows
• Experience supporting GEO and/or MEO missions, hosted payloads, multi-tenant spacecraft, or advanced payload architectures preferred
• Familiarity with RF communications systems, sensing payloads, onboard processing systems, and mission operations concepts
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to drive technical alignment across internal and external teams
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance preferred

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer
• Remote work option