Space Vehicle Platform/Payload Systems Engineer

Aurex; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurex is seeking a Space Vehicle Platform/Payload Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering and integration across spacecraft platforms and payloads supporting national security missions. This role ensures technical alignment between subsystems and payloads, driving integration, performance, and mission assurance across the full system lifecycle.

You will lead requirements definition, architecture development, integration planning, and test execution, coordinating with government and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with space vehicle systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing.
• 7+ years of experience with risk and opportunity management.
• 3+ years of experience supporting reviews of space systems, including SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, SVR, MRR, or PCA, and the DoD acquisition system.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.
• 10+ years of experience with space vehicle systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing.
• Experience with tools such as Confluence or Jira.
• Experience designing, building, and testing communications antennas, transmitters, or receivers for payloads.
• Knowledge of DoD systems engineering, test, and production policies and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities including requirements definition, architecture development, integration planning, and test execution for space vehicle platforms and payloads.
• Support requirements verification, system validation, and integration across payloads and platform subsystems, ensuring delivery of mission-ready capability.
• Collaborate with government clients and contractor teammates to ensure alignment across technical, schedule, and mission objectives.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Risk management

DoD reviews

Confluence/Jira

Clear communication

TS/SCI clearance

Education

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

Tools

Confluence

Jira

Job description

Don't Wait for the Future. Build it Here.

We seek the curious, the brilliant, and the relentless. If you’re driven to solve complex problems, operate at the edge of technology, and make systems smarter, faster, and safer, you’ll find a home here. Advance your career in a company that builds for what's next.

Culture of Excellence

Grit, Growth, and Great People

We’re a team of high performers who don’t settle. Our culture rewards curiosity, integrity, and results—without the ego. You’ll be surrounded by people who challenge you, support you, and celebrate your wins. We work hard, solve big problems, and have each other’s backs.

More Than a Paycheck

We believe exceptional work deserves exceptional rewards. Our total compensation goes beyond base pay to include robust benefits, performance incentives, and investment in your future. From health and retirement to career development and time off—you’ll have what you need to thrive, in and out of the office.

Growth Without Limits

Start Strong. Keep Climbing.

From entry-level engineers to mission program leads, we create space for every employee to thrive. Our work is complex, our standards are high, and our support systems are built to help you rise—wherever you're starting from.

People at Aurex

“I enjoy working at Aurex for the innovative environment and strong focus on work-life balance… The company values creativity, supports professional growth, and fosters collaboration. I feel empowered to make a difference, both through meaningful projects and through volunteering in my community.”

People at Aurex

“I love being part of the platform because it offers the resources and opportunities of a larger company while maintaining a tight‑knit, small company culture. What motivates me most is the environment it creates, one that supports me in growing professionally, academically, and personally.”

jacob Ballentine
Junior Reverse Engineer

People at Aurex

“What I love about working with Aurex is that I always feel valued and appreciated, and that work never goes unrecognized … Another thing I love is that, though small, Aurex offers tremendous expertise in various fields … Finally, the diversity of projects and partners means … many different opportunities—you will be helping to create history.”

Nathaniel DeCecco

Mechanical Engineer

People at Aurex

“What I like most about the company is the strong sense of community… It truly feels like a place where I belong. I’m motivated by the chance to grow, learn, and take on new challenges… Being part of a passionate, driven team makes every day rewarding.”

People at Aurex

“I appreciate that our company focuses on growth and innovation in aerospace… I’m motivated by solving complex challenges and building reliable software for launch operations. It’s rewarding to know our voice system is used by the government and major contractors—making a real impact. What a dream!”

Astrid Leighton
Software Engineer

Space Vehicle Platform/Payload Systems Engineer

Who We Are
Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield‑ready capability. Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat‑tested operators, and forward‑leaning technologists to solve problems that matter fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Job Description
Aurex is seeking a Space Vehicle Platform/Payload Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering and integration efforts across spacecraft platforms and payloads supporting national security missions. This role is responsible for ensuring technical alignment between platform subsystems and mission payloads, driving integration, performance, and mission assurance across the full system lifecycle. You will operate across engineering disciplines, ensuring that payload requirements are effectively translated into system‑level designs and integrated into the overall space vehicle architecture. This role requires a technically strong engineer who can navigate complexity, support disciplined engineering processes, and collaborate across government and contractor teams. In this role, you will lead systems engineering activities including requirements definition, architecture development, integration planning, and test execution for space vehicle platforms and payloads. You will support and participate in major program reviews, including SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, SVR, MRR, and PCA, ensuring technical readiness and compliance with DoD acquisition processes. You will identify, analyze, and manage risks and opportunities, implementing mitigation strategies to support mission success. You will collaborate with government clients and contractor teammates to ensure alignment across technical, schedule, and mission objectives. You will support requirements verification, system validation, and integration across payloads and platform subsystems, ensuring delivery of mission‑ready capability.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience with space vehicle systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing
• 7+ years of experience with risk and opportunity management
• 3+ years of experience supporting reviews of space systems, including SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, SVR, MRR, or PCA, and the DoD acquisition system
• Ability to be highly motivated, with a dynamic work ethic and commitment to the DoD mission
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish collaborative relationships with government clients and contractor teammates
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science
• 10+ years of experience with space vehicle systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing
• Experience with tools such as Confluence or Jira
• Experience designing, building, and testing communications antennas, transmitters, or receivers for payloads
• Knowledge of DoD systems engineering, test, and production policies and practices
• Ability to perform multiple systems engineering and program management functions in support of design reviews and requirements verification
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with mission assurance and Strategic or Tactical MILCOM payload development
• Active TS/SCI clearance

How You Will Be Rewarded
The salary range for this role is $180,000 - $200,000 per year. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.

Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export‑controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.

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