Senior Space Systems Engineer (LEO Payloads & Sensing)

Skylo Technologies • Mountain View, CA

1d • $150,000 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Skylo is seeking an experienced, multidisciplinary Senior Space Systems Engineer to anchor its LEO satellite payload and systems engineering efforts in Mountain View, California. The role owns the end-to-end systems lifecycle for custom LEO payloads, from translating mission objectives and link-budget requirements into flight-ready hardware to developing RF sensing and signal-processing algorithms, leading payload-to-bus integration, and executing integration and test campaigns. The engineer collaborates with RF designers, embedded DSP/FPGA engineers, flight software teams, LEO bus manufacturers, and mission partners to deploy high-reliability flight systems.

The position spans LEO payload systems engineering, RF sensing and algorithm development, and integration, verification, and testing. It includes requirements development and technical reviews; SWaP-C, thermal, and radiation trade studies; interface definition; algorithm modeling and validation; transition of algorithms to flight hardware; hands-on payload testing and environmental qualification; and support for launch integration, on-orbit checkout, commissioning, and calibration. U.S. citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is strictly required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance; Secret/Top Secret eligibility.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in space systems engineering, satellite payload design, or flight hardware integration focused on LEO missions.
• Direct experience developing or validating RF sensing algorithms, signal-processing pipelines, waveform engineering, or spectrum-monitoring architectures.
• Hands-on proficiency with space hardware I&T, flat-sat integration, and environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC.
• Strong working knowledge of RF test instrumentation, including spectrum/vector signal analyzers, VNAs, high-speed oscilloscopes, and signal generators.
• Experience with automated test scripting using Python or MATLAB.

Nice To Haves

• Active DoD Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Technical leadership or payload lead experience on smallsat/CubeSat constellations or operational LEO DoD/commercial missions.
• Familiarity with SDRs, space-qualified FPGA architectures such as Xilinx/AMD UltraScale+, and phased-array/active beamforming antennas.
• Knowledge of 3GPP NTN standards or satellite-to-terrestrial cellular interworking.
• Experience with MBSE frameworks such as SysML or Cameo and requirements management platforms such as Jira, Jama, or DOORS.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end systems engineering for LEO mission payloads, including ConOps, requirements flow-down, verification matrices, and ICDs.
• Conduct SWaP-C, thermal, and radiation trade studies for LEO orbital environments and rapid revisit constraints.
• Define and manage electrical, mechanical, RF, and data bus interfaces between payload components and satellite buses.
• Lead formal technical baseline reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and manage payload hardware subcontract deliverables.
• Architect, model, and validate RF sensing and DSP algorithms, including spectrum monitoring, RF detection, geolocation using TDOA/FDOA, direction finding, and interference mitigation.
• Develop LEO link budgets, Doppler compensation models, and waveform simulations using MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.
• Guide sensing algorithms into flight-ready implementations for space-qualified FPGAs, SDRs, and embedded processors.
• Characterize and optimize receiver sensitivity, dynamic range, and beamforming performance under dynamic LEO channel conditions and high relative velocities.
• Author Master Verification Plans, test matrices, and automated test procedures for payload avionics, RF transceivers, and flat-sat testbenches.
• Direct hands-on payload I&T, including HIL simulations, anechoic chamber antenna measurements, and bus-to-payload integration.
• Plan and support environmental qualification and acceptance campaigns, including TVAC, random vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Support launch-vehicle integration, early on-orbit checkout, payload commissioning, and operational calibration.

Benefits

• Stock option-based equity program.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement plan.
• Monthly wellness and education reimbursement allowances.
• Generous time-off policy and holidays.
• Opportunity to temporarily work abroad.
• Health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and equity options.

What This Job Offers

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