Payload Engineering Manager
About The Position
Lanteris Space is seeking a Payload Engineering Manager (PEM) for our offices in Palo Alto CA. The Payload Engineering Manager serves as the senior technical authority for all matters related to the communications payload across the full program lifecycle. This role leads the definition, development, integration, and verification of complex payload architectures, ensuring technical integrity, stakeholder alignment, and mission success. The PEM drives system‑level decision‑making, establishes payload engineering strategy, and provides technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams. The PEM is accountable for payload design changes with stakeholder agreement, payload performance evaluation and selloff, and the overall technical direction of the communications payload. This role requires deep expertise in RF systems, payload architectures, and spacecraft‑to‑payload interactions, as well as the ability to influence program execution, customer engagement, and cross‑functional coordination. A highly seasoned professional, the PEM applies advanced engineering judgment to resolve complex issues, guide architectural trades, and shape next‑generation payload solutions. The role operates with substantial autonomy, receives minimal direction on day‑to‑day activities, and is expected to mentor engineering teams while representing the company in high‑visibility technical discussions.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or a related technical field. An additional four years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
- 15 years of experience, inclusive of RF systems, satellite payload engineering, or related disciplines
- Leading role in payload architecture, integration, or performance analysis
- Ability to travel infrequently (up to ~10%) and support off‑shift operations as needed
- Understanding of RF engineering principles, payload subsystems, and spacecraft‑payload interactions
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard engineering documentation practices
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in engineering or a related scientific discipline
- Expertise with RF modeling and CAD tools such as Microwave Office, ADS, or Ansys HFSS
- Experience with software‑defined radios, digital payloads, or software‑defined modems
- Familiarity with FPGA-based signal processing architectures
- Prior experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or serving as a technical authority on space programs
Responsibilities
- Serves as the senior technical authority for all communications payload design matters, ensuring architectural integrity and alignment with mission and stakeholder objectives
- Holds accountability for payload design changes that have stakeholder agreement, including front‑end architecture optimization and system‑level trade decisions
- Recognizes and manages accountability transitions: Transfers design‑change accountability to the Spacecraft Engineering Manager (SEM) when changes impact spacecraft systems Transfers accountability to the Program Manager (PM) when stakeholder disagreement or program‑level impacts arise
- Owns all aspects of communications payload performance, including performance reviews, performance modeling, and final performance selloff
- Defines payload‑level engineering strategy, requirements, and verification approaches across the full lifecycle
- Collaborates with the Spacecraft Manager on payload test execution, and assumes accountability for redefining payload test strategy when deviations occur (e.g., workarounds, non‑conformances, MRBs)
- Leads resolution of complex payload anomalies, driving root‑cause analysis and corrective‑action implementation
- Partners with the Program Manager on customer strategy, technical messaging, and customer intimacy for all payload‑related matters
- Provides senior‑level guidance to PMO, SEM, and engineering teams on all communications‑payload topics to ensure optimal program execution
- Represents the company in high‑level technical discussions with customers, vendors, and external partners
- Mentors engineering staff, fosters technical excellence, and contributes to the development of future payload engineering capabilities
- Influences long‑term product strategy and next‑generation payload architectures through innovation and technical leadership
Benefits
- paid time off
- health and welfare insurance
- 401(k)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
