SES Space & Defense · 11 hours ago
Chief Engineer - Payload Systems Engineering
Reston, VA, US, 20191
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
12+ years expSES Space & Defense is a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers through satellite and technology solutions. The Chief Engineer - Payload Systems Engineering will lead the design, development, integration, and commissioning of payloads on spacecraft, ensuring mission success and managing technical risks across various subsystems.
Defense & Space
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead Payload Architecture & Accommodation Trades: Guide payload technical decisions for hosted payloads, dedicated free‑flyers, and proliferated constellation missions
Manage payload requirements, define ICDs, maintain configuration control in SESSD MBSE systems, and drive change management
Serve as Payload–Bus Integration Authority: Oversee mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, RF/EMI/EMC, contamination, and radiation interface considerations to ensure seamless payload accommodation
Develop & Execute V&V Plans: Lead functional, EMI/EMC, thermal‑vacuum, vibration/shock, RF performance, and end‑to‑end mission validation testing
Drive Integration Planning & Execution: Ensure integration readiness across MGSE/EGSE, cleanroom workflows, spacecraft‑level integration, and anomaly resolution
Own Commissioning & On‑Orbit Payload Checkout: Lead on‑orbit calibration, checkout, and performance validation while coordinating with mission operations
Shape & Manage Hosted Payload Opportunities: Evaluate technical feasibility, accommodation impacts, schedules, and risk posture while engaging suppliers and customers
Author & Maintain Mission‑Critical Documentation: Prepare technical deliverables, customer documentation, and inputs for SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/FRR, as well as lead technical interchange meetings
Qualification
Required
BS + 15 years or MS + 12 years in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering (or related) with extensive spacecraft payload engineering experience
US Citizenship with ability to obtain up to TS/SCI clearance
Demonstrated team player with a willingness to mentor, train, and uplift other team members, openly sharing knowledge and ensuring the team gains exposure to all relevant technical areas
Demonstrated payload ownership across at least one spacecraft mission (requirements → I&T → launch → on‑orbit commissioning)
Deep expertise across mechanical packaging and alignment, thermal interfaces and heat‑rejection design, structural dynamics and vibe/shock, and electrical power interfaces including PCDU behavior, power quality, and protection
Strong command of data and timing interfaces (Ethernet, SpaceWire, 1553, CAN, discretes), RF/communications compatibility and colocation, TT&C constraints, radiation effects (TID/SEE) and degradation planning, and EMI/EMC/ESD test planning
Preferred
+ Direct GEO and/or MEO mission experience (radiation environments, long‑life thermal considerations, operational modes)
+ Experience with hosted payloads or multi‑tenant spacecraft models
+ Familiarity with advanced RF comms, sensing/observation systems, onboard compute/edge processing
+ Proficiency in CAD/FEA tools, thermal modeling, RF/link analysis, requirements tools, and automated test workflows
+ Experience working with both traditional primes and commercial spacecraft bus providers
Company
SES Space & Defense
SES Space & Defense is a space solutions company equipping governments with integrated, purpose-built satellite and connectivity solutions that deliver resilient, future-proof capabilities across every mission, landscape, and orbit.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Bobby Khan
IT DIRECTOR - INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY MANAGER (ISSM)
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