Senior Payload Integration Engineer

SES Space & Defense

Technical authority leading payload development and integration for hosted payload missions at SES Space & Defense. Collaborating with manufacturers and customers for mission success.

Posted 7/16/2026full-timeRemote • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in payload development and integration for spacecraft missions, with a strong focus on technical risk management, requirements development, and verification processes. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive successful mission outcomes in GEO and MEO environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Payload Development OwnershipSpacecraft Payload IntegrationRequirements DevelopmentVerification And ValidationTechnical Risk Mitigation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payload Performance ManagementInterface Control Documents (ICDs)Environmental TestingFunctional TestingRF Performance TestingThermal Vacuum TestingVibration TestingShock TestingOn-Orbit CommissioningConfiguration Management

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationLeadershipStakeholder Management

Tools & Technologies

EGSE/MGSECleanroom OperationsMission Operations ConceptsRF Communications SystemsOnboard Processing Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

U.S. CitizenshipTS/SCI Clearance

Industry Keywords

GEO MissionsMEO MissionsHosted PayloadsMulti-Tenant SpacecraftPayload Architecture

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
Working closely with spacecraft manufacturers, suppliers, mission operations teams, and customers, ensure 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
Serve as the primary authority for payload-to-bus integration, ensuring alignment across mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, RF, software, TT&C, and mission operations interfaces
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
Lead payload commissioning, calibration, checkout, and performance validation activities during on-orbit operations
Evaluate hosted payload opportunities and mission concepts, assessing technical feasibility, integration impacts, risk, schedule, and performance considerations
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
Identify, manage, and retire technical risks throughout the mission lifecycle while maintaining focus on mission performance and operational success

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
Remote work options