CesiumAstro · 9 hours ago
Principal Responsible Engineer I - Space Payloads
Austin, TX
Contract
Onsite
Lead/Staff
9+ years expCesiumAstro is a pioneering company in communication systems for space and airborne platforms. They are seeking a highly skilled Space Payload Responsible Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced spaceborne payloads while guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams through the mission lifecycle.
AerospaceDronesSatellite CommunicationSpace Travel
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Serve as the Payload Responsible Engineer (RE) and primary technical point of contact for the payload throughout the mission lifecycle
Lead the end-to-end engineering effort for the payload, including architecture, design, prototyping, integration, test, environmental qualification, and flight readiness
Coordinate and direct a team of RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, software, and systems engineers to ensure consistent and timely technical execution
Develop and review payload control schemes, internal data interfaces, command & telemetry architecture, and firmware/software integration as needed
Oversee development and performance of phased array antennas including beamforming, calibration, and environmental considerations
Manage all flight qualification activities, including environmental test planning (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMC), margin assessment, and final acceptance testing
Generate and maintain payload-level documentation: requirements, ICDs, block diagrams, test plans, verification matrices, risk registers, and design reviews
Interface with spacecraft systems engineering, mission assurance, manufacturing, vendors, and test facilities
Drive root cause analysis, anomaly resolution, and technical risk mitigation throughout development and test campaigns
Communicate status, technical trades, risks, and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
9 years of engineering experience in space payload development or RF/antenna systems
Direct experience designing and testing phased array antennas for space or high-reliability applications
Hands-on experience with RF receivers, including front-end architectures, downconverters, filtering, and RF system modeling
Demonstrated understanding of payload control systems, digital interfaces, command & data handling, and embedded hardware/software interactions
Experience with space power systems, including DC-DC converters, load analysis, protections, and spacecraft power interfaces
Proven experience executing or overseeing flight qualification and environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vib/shock, EMC, radiation considerations)
Leadership experience, including mentoring or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams
Proficiency with engineering tools such as RF simulation packages (HFSS, CST, ADS, MATLAB), schematic/PCB tools, or systems engineering tools (Doors, Cameo)
Strong knowledge of space systems engineering practices, requirements flowdown, verification/validation, and configuration management
Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences
Preferred
Experience managing projects for government and commercial customers
Experience with radiation-tolerant design, proton/total-dose analysis, and EEE parts selection
Experience with high-rate manufacturing, rapid development cycles, or NewSpace ecosystems
Prior role as a Responsible Engineer, Technical Lead, IPT Lead, or Chief Engineer on flight hardware
Experience with ground test setups, RF test equipment, phased array calibration, and antenna range measurement
Background in digital signal processing, beamforming algorithms, or embedded firmware for payload control
Experience mentoring less experienced project engineers and design engineers in associated discipline
High energy and a 'get it done' attitude
Benefits
Company stock options
Health
Dental
Vision
HSA
FSA
Life
Disability
Retirement plans
Company
CesiumAstro
CesiumAstro provides out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space or airborne platforms.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$185.24MKey Investors
Trousdale VenturesAirbus Ventures
2024-06-18Series B· $65M
2024-02-13Series Unknown· $30M
2023-01-26Series Unknown· $2.09M
Recent News
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