Senior Space Payload Engineer IV – EO/IR & Mission Systems

LV8D Solutions, LLC; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LV8D Solutions is seeking a Space System Payload Engineer to support design, integration, testing, calibration, and operation of space payload systems across government, commercial, and defense programs, with emphasis on EO/IR sensors and scientific instrumentation.

The role covers requirements development, verification/validation, mission integration, and payload performance analysis, using tools like MATLAB, Python, STK, LabVIEW, DOORS, and Cameo. Domestic travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or related discipline with 8-12 years of relevant experience.
• Understanding of DOD/IC satellite systems and architecture.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills in government/contractor environments.
• Experience in DOD/IC acquisition and program management processes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated sustained superior performance.
• Available to travel domestically.

Responsibilities

• Support design, integration, testing, and operation of space payload systems for government, commercial, or defense programs.
• Familiarity with spacecraft payload architectures including EO/IR sensors, imaging payloads, or scientific instrumentation.
• Knowledge of payload lifecycle processes: requirements development, verification, validation, mission integration.
• Perform payload performance analysis, link budgets, sensor modeling, or mission data analysis.
• Experience with environmental/qualification testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, functional tests).
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across spacecraft bus, mission ops, and ground segment integration.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, STK, LabVIEW, DOORS, Cameo or equivalent modeling tools.
• Understand space environment impacts: radiation, thermal, orbital dynamics, reliability.
• Support technical reviews: SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, mission readiness.
• Develop technical docs, ICDs, verification plans, test procedures.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements development

Verification & validation

Mission integration

Payload performance analysis

Link budgets

Sensor modeling

Mission data analysis

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

MATLAB

Python

STK

LabVIEW

DOORS

Cameo

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

8-12 years of relevant experience

Advanced degree in MBSE

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

LabVIEW

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

LV8D Solutions is seeking a Space System Payload Engineer to support design, integration, testing, calibration, and operation of space payload systems across government, commercial, and defense programs, with emphasis on EO/IR sensors and scientific instrumentation.

The role covers requirements development, verification/validation, mission integration, and payload performance analysis, using tools like MATLAB, Python, STK, LabVIEW, DOORS, and Cameo. Domestic travel is expected.