Sr. Payload Systems Engineer

Vantor • Westminster, CO

15d

About The Position

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world. To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below. Vantor is hiring for a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to join our team in Westminster, CO. The team is responsible for defining the mission, satellite, and payload architecture behind next-generation space constellations. This role offers direct exposure to complex, integrated systems including spacecraft platforms, optical payloads, laser communications, and advanced onboard processing. We work closely with top-tier industry partners, providing the opportunity to influence and oversee high-impact programs across the full system. Our team is composed of highly experienced engineers and leaders who understand how to deliver. We operate with a deliberate balance of lean execution and disciplined engineering, enabling us to move quickly while maintaining the rigor required for mission success. Just as important, we’ve built a culture of strong collaboration, shared ownership, and camaraderie—with a clear sense of purpose behind the systems we deliver.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active secret Security Clearance or have the ability to obtain secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience working with space-based optical remote sensing payloads, especially within LEO missions.
• Proven experience in electrical systems engineering for space platforms, including familiarity with radiation effects on electronic systems and parts derating/qualification processes.
• Demonstrated experience with spacecraft-payload interface development, electrical interface analysis, and supporting cross-functional teams across the space segment.
• Ability to interpret and analyze schematics, block diagrams, and PCB layouts, and perform system-level implications analysis from hardware-level changes.
• Demonstrated familiarity with current and emerging FPGA, processor, and memory technologies.
• Previous experience working across payload, spacecraft, and ground teams

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• Experience with modeling tools such as MATLAB, STK, SPICE, HFSS, or signal integrity/power analysis software.
• Familiarity with imaging payloads (visible, multispectral, or hyperspectral), data processing requirements, and performance metrics (SNR, MTF, etc.).
• Experience with fault management, redundancy architectures, and design for reliability in long-duration space missions.
• Familiarity with space industry quality and standards frameworks (NASA GSFC, JPL, ECSS, MIL-STD-1547, IPC standards).

Responsibilities

• Serve as 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 to evaluate design alternatives, performance vs. cost/risk trade-offs, and technology insertion opportunities.
• Assess and troubleshoot emerging payload and bus designs down to the circuit level using your electrical engineering background.
• Support radiation analysis and mitigation strategies for electronics in space environments, collaborating with design teams to guide EEE parts selection and architecture-level protections.
• Perform or review signal and power integrity analyses, and ensure adherence to space-qualified electrical standards (MIL-STD, ECSS, NASA standards, etc.).
• Model and evaluate payload-level power, data, and timing interactions and contribute to electrical interface control documentation (ICDs).
• Participate in the evaluation of emerging technologies, COTS/FoS (Commercial/Flyable off the Shelf) hardware, and new mission concepts with an eye toward system-level integration feasibility.
• Contribute to design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and work across disciplines to ensure the payload systems meet performance, reliability, and environmental constraints.

Benefits

• Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life.
• You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

What This Job Offers

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