Autonomous Systems Payload Integration Engineer

Fathom Robotics; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ICHRA health plan stipend

401(k) plan

Job summary

Fathom Robotics is seeking a Payload Integration Engineer to integrate USV payloads, manage interfaces, and own baselines across platforms. You will coordinate OEM firmware updates, verify performance, and document configurations.

The role blends bench work with on-water field support in Ventura County, CA, with 10–20% CONUS travel and SECRET eligibility. You will design mounts in CAD, collaborate with OEMs, and ensure SWaP alignment while maintaining critical documentation and test reports for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, mechatronics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of payload or sensor integration experience on unmanned platforms in any domain.
• Working knowledge of RF data links, IP networking, and common serial interfaces (Ethernet, RS-232/485, CAN).
• Experience managing software or firmware updates and configuration baselines across multiple systems, with disciplined documentation habits.

Responsibilities

• Integrate USV payloads, including UAS systems, telemetry antennas, and EW systems: mounting, power, and data interfaces.
• Work with payload providers to align size, weight, and power (SWaP) and maritime resiliency with vessel and mission profiles.
• Manage vehicle and payload communications: SATCOM (Starlink/Starshield), RF telemetry links, antennas, and end-to-end link testing between vehicles, payloads, and control stations.
• Own software and firmware baselines across USVs and payloads: coordinate remote OEM update windows, verify function after every update, and keep configuration records current.
• Serve as the technical point of contact with platform OEMs, payload manufacturers, and government customers for integration issues, update releases, and interface documentation.
• Work with other engineers to design custom mounts, brackets, and enclosures in CAD, get them made in-house or through our fab vendors, and install and validate them alongside wiring harnesses and interface hardware.
• Bench test integrated payloads and comms ahead of field events
• Support on-water testing and customer demonstrations, including payload setup, comms checks, and real-time troubleshooting
• Write and maintain interface documentation and test reports

Skills

Payload integration

RF data links

IP networking

Documentation habits

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/Systems

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD tools

Job description

Fathom Robotics is seeking a Payload Integration Engineer to integrate USV payloads, manage interfaces, and own baselines across platforms. You will coordinate OEM firmware updates, verify performance, and document configurations.

The role blends bench work with on-water field support in Ventura County, CA, with 10–20% CONUS travel and SECRET eligibility. You will design mounts in CAD, collaborate with OEMs, and ensure SWaP alignment while maintaining critical documentation and test reports for