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

Originally posted on Himalayas

Chief Engineer, Payload Integration at SES Space & Defense