Payload Lead

Young Community Developers • Irvine, CA

2h • $130,000 - $170,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Payload Lead supports Flight Operations by overseeing the integration, testing, and training of all current and future payload systems used in UAS missions. This role ensures payload capabilities meet mission requirements and remain reliable, fully operational, and optimized for performance. Acting as a key liaison across engineering, logistics, project management, and finance, the Payload Lead represents operator needs throughout the lifecycle of payload systems. In addition to oversight, the position involves active participation in activities such as operator training, vendor meetings, and technical reviews. The Payload Lead is expected to develop strong technical expertise in payload systems to provide informed guidance and support mission readiness.

Requirements

• 5+ years as a payload manager leading payload integration, testing, operator training, and mission readiness across EO/IR, SAR, AIS, and SIGINT; or
• 6+ years as an operational payload user employing these systems in live missions, with documented proficiency, troubleshooting, and contribution to training/OJT.
• Ability to create and maintain operator training programs and manuals for UAS payloads and mission systems.
• Ability to develop, deliver and/or host technical training programs.
• Excellent problem solving, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for documentation, reporting, and presentation tasks.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic operational environments.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with UAS systems.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Independently identifies operational needs, prioritizes work, and executes tasks without direct supervision; consistently meets objectives to a high standard.
• Experience in UAS payload integration and testing.
• Experience in logistics coordination and lifecycle management.
• Ability to analyze technology gaps and forecast improvements.
• Strong technical knowledge of EO/IR, SAR, AIS, SIGINT systems, mapping tools, chat clients, and mission software.

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in and oversee integration and testing of payload systems on behalf of Flight Operations, ensuring compatibility, functionality, and performance. Engage in operator training sessions, vendor meetings, and technical reviews to represent operational requirements and drive mission effectiveness.
• Develop comprehensive technical expertise in payload systems to serve as a trusted subject matter authority, ensuring informed guidance and effective representation of operational requirements.
• Identify technological gaps between customer requirements and current equipment offerings to forecast needed changes or improvements.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and recommend upgrades or new payload capabilities to enhance mission effectiveness.
• Design, deliver, and/or host training for operators on payload usage, maintenance, and best practices, coordinating closely with the Training Manager to ensure alignment with organizational training standards and schedules.
• Establish and/or maintain processes to ensure all payload systems are fully mission capable, including identifying partially/non-mission capable systems promptly, coordinating repairs or replacements, and minimizing mission impact through proactive maintenance and resource management.
• Manage all current and future payloads, including but not limited to: EO/IR Cameras (e.g., MX-15) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Automatic Identification System (AIS) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Mission Management Software Mapping Applications Chat Clients (e.g., mIRC)
• Create and distribute weekly status reports covering the status of all payloads to leadership for operational visibility and decision-making.
• Maintain technical documentation, operational standards, and compliance requirements for payload systems.
• Work closely with Engineering, Flight Operations, Logistics, and Finance and other teams as required to ensure seamless integration and continued mission readiness.
• Track payload reliability and mission impact metrics to inform decision-making.
• May be required to deploy to operational locations to supplement crews, deliver on-the-job training (OJT), and assist with mission readiness activities.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support operational objectives.

Benefits

• Our benefits are DZYNE’ed for your overall health and financial wellness. DZYNE offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package. Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits are fully covered by DZYNE. DZYNE provides paid time off and paid holidays. Additionally, DZYNE offers a 401 (k) plan with an employer match and immediate vesting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees