Payload Systems Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Professional development

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking a Payload Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end payload systems engineering for national security space programs. You will translate real-world needs into clear technical specs, drive rigorous reviews, and collaborate with government customers and industry teammates to deliver mission-ready solutions.

The role requires deep experience in SATCOM payload design, interfaces and verification, and a strong understanding of DoD engineering practices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in space vehicle or payload systems engineering.
• Experience designing and developing SATCOM payloads, including uplink and downlink RF subsystems and components.
• Experience with requirements management and ICD development.
• Experience with verification and validation of complex systems and lifecycle reviews.
• Knowledge of space program lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Ability to communicate with government customers and contractor teammates.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payload systems engineering from concept to deployment.
• Translate operational needs into technical specs and drive design reviews.
• Collaborate with government customers and industry teammates to evolve capabilities.
• Support space program lifecycle reviews and system integration across space and ground segments.

Skills

Space systems engineering

SATCOM payloads

ICD development

V&V

Lifecycle reviews

Systems integration

DoD framework

Collaboration tools

Clearance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science

Tools

Confluence

Jira

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Payload Systems Engineer

Payload Systems Engineer The Opportunity: In this role, you’ll combine systems thinking with deep satellite communications domain expertise to deliver mission-ready payloads for national security space. As a Communications Payload Systems Engineer, you will lead end-to-end payload systems engineering across concept, design, analysis, integration, verification, and deployment. You will collaborate closely with government customers and industry teammates, translate real-world operational needs into clear technical specifications, drive rigorous design reviews, and evolve capabilities with advanced technology solutions. Join us. The world can’t wait.

You Have:

• 5+ years of experience in space vehicle or payload systems engineering, including planning, integration, and test
• Experience designing and developing SATCOM payloads, including uplink and downlink RF subsystems, signal processing subsystems, and components such as antennas, transmitters, and receivers
• Experience in requirements management and Interface Control Document (ICD) development and configuration management
• Experience with verification and validation (V&V) of complex systems, including requirements traceability, test planning, procedure development, and formal verification or validation execution
• Experience participating in and preparing for space program lifecycle reviews such as SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, SVR, MRR, and PCA
• Experience with space systems integration and testing across space, ground, and user segments, including secure or crypto interfaces
• Knowledge of the DoD acquisition framework, engineering collaboration tools such as Confluence and Jira, and productivity tools such as Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships with government clients and contractor teammates, and contribute a dynamic, mission-focused work ethic
• Secret clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science

Nice If You Have:

• 7+ years of experience in space vehicle or payload systems engineering, including planning, integration, and testing
• Experience in the Satellite Communications mission area and mission assurance for strategic or tactical MILSATCOM payload development
• Experience with risk and opportunity management on Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) across hardware, software, and ground systems
• Knowledge of DoD systems engineering, testing, and production policies and practices
• Ability to perform systems engineering and program management functions in support of design reviews and requirements verification
• TS/SCI clearance
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification such as ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page. Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $62,000.00 to $141,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings. Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility. Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen or customer facility, in alignment with your leadership's expectations and the needs of the role. Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

About Booz Allen

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company. We build commercial-grade products and solutions for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

Know Your Rights Poster Accommodations

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