Lead Payload Systems Engineer

Boeing • Seal Beach, CA

2d • $176,800 - $239,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Experimental Systems Group (ESG) is seeking a Lead Payload Systems Engineer to join its Systems Engineering Integration & Test team in Seal Beach, California. ESG supports government customers across technology domains in a fast-paced development environment, delivering new capabilities rapidly and affordably. Its portfolio includes experimental and operational systems such as the X-37B.

The role serves as the technical owner for assigned products, emphasizing system integration, supplier technical management, and cross-organizational interface management. Products span a range of scales and complexities and may extend through all lifecycle phases, from feasibility studies through operation and disposal. The engineer works as both an individual contributor and team lead, partnering with customers, subject matter experts, and external stakeholders to develop and deliver high-quality solutions on aggressive timelines. The ideal candidate has broad spacecraft subsystem knowledge, particular depth in interface design, external stakeholder management, and payload performance, and systems experience across space and ground domains.

The position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance and U.S. citizenship. Candidates must also meet U.S. export control requirements as a U.S. Person. Boeing will not sponsor employment visas. This role is not contingent upon a program award and is not safety-sensitive. The stated summary pay range for Experienced (Level 5) is $176,800–$239,200. Relocation assistance is not negotiable. Eligible employees may enroll in benefit programs, which generally include health insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid and unpaid time away from work. Availability may vary by eligibility factors.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or a directly related non-U.S. equivalent qualification.
• Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required. A clearance active within the past 24 months is considered active.
• At least 10 years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (for example, Ph.D. plus 6 years or master’s degree plus 8 years).
• At least 3 years of experience leading projects, teams, or products.
• Proficiency authoring Interface Control Documents (ICDs), specifications, and Statements of Work (SoW).
• Meet U.S. export control compliance requirements as a U.S. Person.
• Successful completion of the Company’s Conflict of Interest assessment process.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in one or more space payload technologies, such as RF communication, laser communication, PNT, or remote sensing.
• Experience working directly with government customers on large-scale space programs.
• Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, or highly autonomous unmanned systems.
• Strong technical background across spacecraft subsystems, with particular depth in interface design, external stakeholder management, and payload performance.
• Systems background spanning both space and ground domains.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical project manager for subcontracted development and sustainment efforts.
• Manage technical project scope, planning, proposals, cost estimates, and schedules, and drive execution.
• Identify, track, and update key subsystem technical performance metrics.
• Work with the Payload Integrated Product Team to define capability roadmaps, value statements, and implementation plans.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and external stakeholders to provide real-time support for orbit systems, including investigating and resolving anomalies.
• Serve as the authority and decision maker for technical trades, design decisions, noncompliance disposition, and failure resolution within assigned products.
• Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership.
• Work proactively and independently in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Act as the technical owner for assigned products, with emphasis on system integration, supplier technical management, and cross-organizational interface management.
• Work directly with customers and subject matter experts to develop and converge on achievable solutions.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance programs.
• Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts are generally included among available benefit programs.
• Retirement savings plans are generally included among available benefit programs.
• Life and disability insurance programs are generally included among available benefit programs.
• Programs providing paid and unpaid time away from work.
• Competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior