Payload Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

Payload Systems Engineer utilizing systems engineering to support national security payload hardware development. Leading a team and managing technical risks for government customers in a dynamic environment.

Posted 6/10/2026full-timeChantilly • California, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $129,000 - $249,600 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

TypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify payload-related hardware issues / risks, document mitigations, and make recommendations to government customers within a dynamic program office environment.
Payload-related hardware includes optical telescope and vehicle protection subsystems and their respective auxiliary equipment
Serve as a principal technical representative to the customer, and facilitate communications with the broader customer payload community
Leading a diverse team of technical experts within Aerospace ETG to manage and mitigate all technical risks that arise throughout the entire acquisition life cycle
Ensure effective collaboration and communication across GDO, related Aerospace program offices and Aerospace ETG staff
Monitor and assist in development of budgets and other resource allocations to accomplish tasks within the payload group

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, mathematics, science, or related technical discipline
Minimum of 6 years of experience with electro-optics engineering and/or integration testing in roles of increasing responsibility, as well as working with, and/or leading, broad teams in technical, architecture, strategy, and engineering projects and tasks
Willing to travel domestically (up to 1 week per month)
This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US government.
U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Minimum of 10 years of experience with electro-optics engineering and integration testing in roles of increasing responsibility
Proven track record contributing to and/or leading major technical projects in technical, architecture, strategy, and engineering projects and tasks

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

electro-optics engineeringintegration testingtechnical risk managementacquisition life cycleoptical telescope systemsvehicle protection subsystemsbudget developmentresource allocationtechnical architectureengineering projects

Soft Skills

communicationcollaborationleadershipteam managementcustomer relationsproblem-solvingdocumentationfacilitationinterpersonal skillsstrategic thinking

Certifications

TS/SCI security clearancepolygraph