Payload Systems Engineer I

York Space Systems•Greenwood Village, CO

2d•$80,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The Payload Systems Engineer is responsible for supporting the integration, test, and flight operation of spacecraft payload systems. You will work directly with payload hardware, suppliers, test teams, and spacecraft subsystem engineers to make sure payloads are understood, integrated correctly, tested thoroughly, and ready to fly. The work is hands-on and execution-focused. You will be expected to learn quickly, identify problems early, communicate clearly, and take ownership of assigned technical work. This is not a payload design-only role. You will be involved in supplier hardware reviews, spacecraft integration, functional testing, environmental test support, verification, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another relevant technical discipline
Engineering internship, academic project, laboratory, student spacecraft, robotics, communications, remote sensing, or early-career experience involving complex hardware systems
Ability to understand and work from engineering drawings, requirements documents, interface control documents, test procedures, and technical reports.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage assigned work independently, raise issues early, and follow tasks through completion

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft payloads, RF communications, optical systems, networking, remote sensing, electronics, embedded systems, or test engineering
Experience with hands-on hardware integration, lab testing, environmental testing, manufacturing, or vehicle assembly
Familiarity with requirements management, verification, configuration management, risk tracking, or technical documentation
Experience with CubeSat, launch vehicle, UAV, defense, automotive, robotics, communications, or other high-reliability hardware programs
Experience using Python, MATLAB, CAD tools, data analysis tools, test automation tools, or network analysis tools
Familiarity with payload command and telemetry, data handling, digital interfaces, RF systems, optical communications, or mission operations

Responsibilities

Support integration of payload systems into spacecraft buses
Develop and maintain understanding of assigned payload hardware, including operating modes, power requirements, command and telemetry interfaces, thermal limits, mechanical constraints, data interfaces, and fault responses
Review supplier documentation including ICDs, drawings, test reports, qualification data, acceptance data packages, user manuals, and nonconformance reports
Support definition and tracking of payload requirements, interfaces, verification methods, risks, and open technical issues
Work with electrical, software, mechanical, thermal, networking, mission operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams to resolve integration issues
Assist with payload interface definition, including power, harnessing, grounding, command and telemetry, data links, mechanical mounting, thermal constraints, timing, and operational limits
Develop and execute payload test procedures, test scripts, checkouts, and verification activities.Support vehicle-level functional testing, environmental testing, integrated system testing, mission simulations, and end-to-end payload testing
Troubleshoot payload-related issues during integration and test and support root-cause investigations
Participate in technical meetings with payload suppliers and drive assigned actions to closure
Support payload hardware acceptance reviews and verification of delivered data packages
Maintain accurate technical documentation, test records, interface definitions, and engineering status
Support launch-site preparation, commissioning planning, and on-orbit operations as required