Sr. Payload Systems Engineer (Secret Security)

Vantor; Colorado; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantor Holdings, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to join our Westminster, CO team.

You will define mission, satellite, and payload architectures, interfacing with spacecraft buses and high-precision optical payloads. You will influence high-impact programs with industry partners, balancing lean execution with rigorous engineering. The role requires extensive space systems experience, funding cross-functional collaboration, and leadership in design reviews to ensure performance and

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active secret Security Clearance.
• 8+ years of experience with space-based optical remote sensing payloads, especially LEO missions.
• Experience with radiation effects on electronic systems and derating/qualification.
• Spacecraft-payload interface development and electrical interface analysis.
• Ability to interpret and integrate requirements across teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical interface between the imaging payload and spacecraft bus across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and data interfaces.
• Lead system-level trades on design alternatives, cost/risk, and tech insertion opportunities.
• Assess payload and bus designs and troubleshoot down to circuit level.
• Support radiation analysis and mitigation strategies for electronics in space environments.
• Perform signal and power integrity analyses and ensure MIL-STD, ECSS, NASA standards compliance.
• Model payload power, data, timing interactions and contribute to ICDs.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and new mission concepts for system integration feasibility.
• Contribute to design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) across disciplines.

Skills

Electrical systems

Spacecraft interfaces

Signal analysis

Radiation effects

Power integrity

System trades

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee.

Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Please review the job details below.

Vantor is hiring for a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to join our team in Westminster, CO.

The team is responsible for defining the mission, satellite, and payload architecture behind next-generation space constellations. This role offers direct exposure to complex, integrated systems including spacecraft platforms, optical payloads, laser communications, and advanced onboard processing. We work closely with top-tier industry partners, providing the opportunity to influence and oversee high-impact programs across the full system. Our team is composed of highly experienced engineers and leaders who understand how to deliver. We operate with a deliberate balance of lean execution and disciplined engineering, enabling us to move quickly while maintaining the rigor required for mission success. Just as important,we’vebuilt a culture of strong collaboration, shared ownership, and camaraderie —with a clear sense of purpose behind the systems we deliver.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical interface between the imaging payload and spacecraft bus, ensuring compatibility and joint performance optimization across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and data interfaces.
• Lead and participate in system-level trades to evaluate design alternatives, performance vs. cost/risk trade-offs, and technology insertion opportunities.
• Assess and troubleshoot emerging payload and bus designs down to the circuit level using your electrical engineering background.
• Support radiation analysis and mitigation strategies for electronics in space environments, collaborating with design teams to guide EEE parts selection and architecture-level protections.
• Perform or review signal and power integrity analyses, and ensure adherence to space-qualified electrical standards (MIL-STD, ECSS, NASA standards, etc.).
• Model and evaluate payload-level power, data, and timing interactions and contribute to electrical interface control documentation (ICDs).
• Participate in the evaluation of emerging technologies, COTS/FoS (Commercial/Flyable off the Shelf) hardware, and new mission concepts with an eye toward system-level integration feasibility.
• Contribute to design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and work across disciplines to ensure the payload systems meet performance, reliability, and environmental constraints.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active secret Security Clearance or have the ability to obtain secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience working with space-based optical remote sensing payloads, especially within LEO missions.
• Proven experience in electrical systems engineering for space platforms, including familiarity with radiation effects on electronic systems and parts derating/qualification processes.
• Demonstrated experience with spacecraft-payload interface development, electrical interface analysis, and supporting cross-functional teams across the space segment.
• Ability to interpret and