Payload Integration Engineer

SES Space & Defense

Payload Integration Engineer at SES Space & Defense overseeing payload development and integration for satellite missions. Ensuring mission success through technical authority and cross-functional collaboration.

Posted 7/9/2026full-timeRemote • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

TypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.
Work closely with spacecraft manufacturers, suppliers, mission operations teams, and customers, ensuring payload requirements are translated into executable designs and successfully integrated into GEO and MEO spacecraft architectures.
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.
Lead verification and validation activities including functional testing, EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, RF performance, and end-to-end mission testing.
Drive integration planning and execution across spacecraft manufacturing, EGSE/MGSE environments, environmental testing, and launch preparation activities.
Partner with spacecraft providers, suppliers, customers, and mission stakeholders to resolve technical issues and drive program execution.
Support major program reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and technical interchange meetings.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Demonstrated ownership of payload development across at least one spacecraft mission through requirements, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit commissioning
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

Comp & perks

Health insurance
401(k) matching
Flexible work hours
Paid time off

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Payload Performance ManagementInterface Control Documents (ICDs)Functional TestingEMI/EMC TestingThermal Vacuum TestingVibration TestingShock TestingRF Performance TestingConfiguration ManagementMission Operations

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationLeadershipStakeholder Management

Certifications

U.S. CitizenshipTS/SCI Clearance