Senior Payload Systems Engineer

Vantor • Westminster, CO

3d • $109,000 - $159,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Vantor is hiring a Senior Payload Systems Engineer for its SpaceWrx team in Westminster, Colorado. The position works in the office Tuesday through Thursday and from home Monday and Friday. The team develops Vantor’s next-generation satellite constellation, defining architecture and requirements for mission, vehicle, and payload elements; collaborating with industry suppliers during manufacturing, integration, and testing; and supporting launch and initial on-orbit operations.

This broad payload systems engineering role provides exposure to integrated systems that include spacecraft platforms, optical payloads, laser communications, and advanced onboard processing. It connects the capabilities of these technologies to Vantor’s imagery and software products and customer needs. The engineer works across disciplines and organizations to support robust, efficient engineering and mission success. Eligibility requires U.S. Person status. The role requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 5–7 years of experience working with space-based optical remote sensing payloads or similar hardware systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing spacecraft-to-payload interfaces and working with multiple space-segment teams in a cross-functional role.
• Experience with general software tools such as MATLAB and Python, and ability to learn and use new tools as job demands evolve.
• Understanding of requirements management documentation, such as specifications and interface control documents (ICDs), and related processes.
• Previous experience working across organizational boundaries, such as between payload, spacecraft, and ground teams.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Physics.
• Proven systems engineering experience for space platforms, including awareness of specialty disciplines such as radiation survivability and electromagnetic compatibility.
• Experience with modeling tools such as STK, SPICE, HFSS, or signal integrity/power analysis software.
• Familiarity with imaging payloads (visible, multispectral, or hyperspectral), data-processing requirements, and performance metrics such as SNR and MTF.
• Familiarity with current and emerging technologies, including FPGAs, processors, memory, and storage devices.
• Experience with fault management, redundancy architectures, and design for reliability in long-duration space missions.
• Familiarity with space-industry quality and standards frameworks such as NASA GSFC, JPL, ECSS, MIL-STD-1547, and IPC standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technical interface between the imaging payload and spacecraft bus, ensuring compatibility and joint performance optimization across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and data interfaces.
• Lead and participate in system-level trades evaluating design alternatives, performance-versus-cost/risk trade-offs, and technology insertion opportunities.
• Participate in supplier management through site visits, review of deliverable artifacts, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, and CDR), working across disciplines to ensure payload systems meet performance, reliability, and environmental constraints.
• Support development of a comprehensive payload concept of operations, including modeling and evaluation of power, data, and timing interactions across all states and modes.
• Participate in evaluation of emerging technologies, COTS/FoS hardware, and new mission concepts, assessing system-level integration feasibility.
• Assess and troubleshoot emerging payload and spacecraft bus designs.

Benefits

• Robust 401(k) with company match.
• Mental health resources.
• Student loan repayment assistance.
• Adoption reimbursement.
• Pet insurance.
• Incentive eligible, with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific plan and target amount depend on the role and breadth of contributions.

What This Job Offers

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