Payload Systems Engineer Senior

York Space Systems; Greenwood Village (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

York Space Systems seeks a Senior Payload Systems Engineer to lead the definition, integration, verification, and deployment of spacecraft payloads across an expanding mission portfolio.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, systems thinking, and independent work in a fast-paced aerospace environment at the Greenwood Village, CO campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Engineering, Physics or CS).
• 3+ years of aerospace, electronics, software, or complex technical systems experience.
• Ability to apply fundamentals across disciplines and learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead payload systems engineering from requirements through integration and verification.
• Define interfaces and verification strategies across payloads and subsystems.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to align design and integration.
• Develop test procedures, troubleshoot hardware/software, and document results.
• Support on-orbit operations and investigate anomalies.
• Drive improvements in engineering processes and interfaces.

Skills

Payload engineering

Systems thinking

Independent work

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics/CS

Job description

York is seeking a Senior Payload Systems Engineer to lead the definition, integration, verification, and operational deployment of spacecraft payloads across an expanding mission portfolio. This role requires deep technical competence, systems-level thinking, and the judgment to make informed decisions in complex, multidisciplinary environments.

Senior engineers at York serve as key technical contributors, shaping payload architectures, guiding integration strategies, and collaborating closely across spacecraft subsystems. The ideal candidate brings strong engineering fundamentals, growing system-level insight, and confidence operating with autonomy in fast-paced development cycles.

This role will be fully on-site in our Greenwood Village, Colorado office.

Responsibilities

• Lead payload systems engineering activities from requirements development through integration, verification, and on-orbit operations, with increasing autonomy and responsibility for complex technical decisions.
• Develop, refine, and manage payload requirements, architectures, interface control documents, and verification strategies.
• Define and manage interfaces across payloads, spacecraft subsystems, flight software, and ground systems.
• Evaluate payload performance, compatibility, and technical risks, recommending and driving resolution strategies.
• Coordinate technical activities with payload suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams, ensuring alignment across design and integration efforts.
• Develop and execute payload test procedures, troubleshoot hardware and software, and document verification results.
• Support spacecraft integration, on-orbit commissioning, and investigation of operational anomalies.
• Identify and drive improvements in engineering processes, interface standards, and reusable system patterns.

This role will not have direct reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of relevant engineering experience in aerospace, electronics, software, telecommunications, robotics, or other complex technical systems.
• Strong technical fundamentals in at least one engineering discipline and demonstrated ability to learn and apply knowledge across disciplines.

• Experience in design, analysis, integration, testing, or troubleshooting of complex hardware/software systems.
• Ability to execute and lead technical work independently, assess risks, and exercise sound engineering judgment.
• Clear communication skills with ability to translate complex technical findings into actionable recommendations.

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

• Willingness to work full-time in office in Greenwood Village, CO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret security clearance or higher.

• Experience with radar systems, radar payload integration, or radar signal processing.
• Systems engineering experience including requirements, interfaces, and verification.
• Hands-on experience integrating and testing complex hardware/software systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft systems, sensors, communications, embedded systems, or networks.
• Proficiency with scripting, automation, or analysis tools.