Payload Systems Engineer III

Capital Factory; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 Weeks PTO

10 Holidays

401K Match

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Education Reimbursement

Referral Program

Job summary

Vitesse Systems, LLC in Longmont, Colorado seeks a Payload Systems Engineer III to design advanced satellite payloads across LEO, MEO, and GEO. You will lead analyses, integration, and testing, working with cross‑functional teams to optimize payload performance and resource use.

The role requires a BS in Electrical Engineering, 5+ years in RF payloads, and strong skills in Python, MATLAB, and STK. ITAR compliance and background checks are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• MS in EE is preferred but not required.
• Minimum 5 years in a similar role with RF payloads.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced payloads for satellite systems across all orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO).
• Lead design analysis, integration, and testing of satellite systems.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, and electrical teams to optimize payloads.
• Translate mission requirements into subsystem specs and verification criteria.
• Support reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR) and hardware procurement.

Skills

RF Communications

Payload Systems

Digital Payloads

Python

MATLAB

STK

Requirements Development

ConOps

Systems Modelling

Phased Arrays

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering (desired)

Tools

STK

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Vitesse Systems is looking for a Payload Systems Engineer III to join the team in Longmont, Colorado! We design, engineer, and manufacture our own antennas to support the payload integration needs of our customers.

About Vitesse Systems

Vitesse Systems is a leading provider of highly engineered antenna, thermal management and mission critical solutions used in radar, electronic warfare and C5ISR applications. No challenge is too difficult for the Vitesse Team. From complex specification driven requirements to precision manufactured components, Vitesse Systems has the experience and expertise needed to execute.

Our Core Values

Our core values of Integrity, Initiative, Impact, and Integration translate to an environment where every team member is valued and rewarded. The mission-critical solutions we design and manufacture at Vitesse make our country and our world safer.

Our Benefits

• 3 Weeks of Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Company Observed Holidays
• Birthday & Anniversary Incentives
• 401K Employer Match
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Company-paid Short & Long-term Disability
• Continuing Education Reimbursement Program
• Generous Referral Program

The Role

The Payload Systems Engineer is responsible for designing advanced payloads for satellite systems across all orbits.

Key Responsibilities

• Design advanced communication payloads for satellite systems across all orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO)
• Contribute to the design, analysis, integration, and validation of satellite systems for next‑generation missions
• Work across payload design, system performance analysis, assembly, integration and testing, and mission operations
• Support design trades involving payload capacity, system mass, power optimization, spectral resources, and overall mission-level performance
• Work closely with software, mechanical, thermal, and electrical engineering to optimize the satellite resources
• Analyze mission requirements and translate them into technical specifications, system-level requirements, and engineering constraints
• Optimize the performance of satellite systems by maximizing payload efficiency, minimizing satellite mass and volume, and improving power use and duty cycles
• Build and execute simulations and models to evaluate payload performance under various operating and environmental conditions
• Support Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) activities including test plans, procedures, troubleshooting, performance validation, and verification strategies to validate systems and payload performance
• Support major reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR)
• Engage directly with hardware suppliers and evaluate hardware for payload architecture
• Support hardware procurement
• Participate in meetings and design reviews
• Responsible for overall communication subsystem
• Develop and maintain analysis tools across the program execution
• Develop payload block diagrams
• Requirements flow down
• Compute Link Budget Analysis
• Translate mission and system requirements into subsystem and unit-level technical requirements, interfaces, and verification criteria
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or related degree
• MSEE in related field desired, but not required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role
• RF Communications Engineering/Payload Systems background
• Payload Experience – ideally communication payloads
• Payload Analysis and Budgets: EIRP, G/T, Conversion factors, Signal level budgets, group delay, frequency response and more
• Knowledgeable with payload thermal and power aspects
• Active and passive communication payload hardware knowledge: HPA, LNA, Receivers, MRO, MLO, Converters, Filters, antenna subsystem(reflector based and DRAs)
• Familiar with digital payloads, (digital channelizer with or without beamforming)
• Strong understanding of satellite subsystems, particularly RF payloads, and spacecraft platforms
• Hands‑on experience in system modelling, simulation, and performance assessment
• Experience with requirements development, ConOps definition, and system-level design processes
• Solid analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex system interactions
• Experience in working in satellite manufacturing environment preferred
• Experienced in digital payloads, (digital channelizer with or without beamforming), and/or regenerative payloads preferred
• Experience with Phased/Active Arrays and Optical communication preferred
• Familiarity with digital payloads, phased arrays, and advanced communication system architectures preferred
• Experience with environmental testing, satellite integration, or in‑orbit payload testing preferred
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK or other scripting languages for simulation, analysis, and tool development preferred
• Must provide proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency to comply with ITAR requirements
• Ability to pass a drug screen per Vitesse’s drug testing policy
• Ability to pass a criminal background check per Vitesse’s policy

Vitesse Systems, LLC performs work controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These statutes require the protection of technical data and products. The regulations require that such data not be disclosed in written, oral, or visual form to any foreign national without prior export authorization from the Department of State. A foreign national is defined by the U.S. Government under EAR 734.2(b)(2)(ii) and 8 USC 110 (a)(20) as one who:

• Is not a United States citizen
• Is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.
• Does not have politically protected status (embassy, refugee, or asylum)

Vitesse Systems, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity /Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Veterans / Disabled Employer.