Job at a glance
Job Title: Space Systems Engineer – Payload Integration and Verification Job Description This role focuses on designing, integrating, and developing space-based optical instruments and payloads for airborne and space platforms, while leading requirements, verification, and validation activities across the full development lifecycle. You will work closely with hardware and software teams in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment, directly next to the lab where payloads are being built, and see the tangible impact of your work on cutting-edge space programs.
Responsibilities Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms. Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for complex space systems. Ensure full traceability of requirements throughout the development process and proactively address potential conflicts or issues. Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability activities across the entire development lifecycle.
Prepare and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), concepts of operations (CONOPs), and test plans. Generate clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners. Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance.
Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms. Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of complex payloads. Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures. Analyze test data, identify issues, and recommend design refinements to improve system performance and reliability.
Lead hardware and software verification and validation (V&V) activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements. Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance throughout the program. Participate in technical interchange meetings and effectively represent the organization in project discussions. Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads, including assessing and mitigating technical risks.
Coordinate with sub-vendors and external partners as needed to ensure successful integration and delivery of payload components. Support travel or off-site work as required by program needs. Perform other related systems engineering duties as assigned. Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics. At least 5 years of professional systems engineering experience. At least 5 years of verification and validation (V&V) experience.
At least 5 years of integration experience in complex systems. At least 5 years of requirements engineering experience, including definition, allocation, and traceability. Hands-on experience with requirements management tools, with the ability to provide detailed responses on tool usage and methodology. Experience working in a cross-functional environment with hardware, software, and test teams. Background in a highly regulated industry such as aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, semiconductor, or data center.
Ability to work flexibly across software and hardware integration and requirements-focused tasks. Strong systems engineering skills in verification, validation, and integration within complex technical programs. Experience with testing activities, including planning, execution, and documentation. Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations and testing in a regulated engineering environment. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with optical systems, including cameras, lenses, and related optical instruments.
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