Sr. SE – Mission Systems & RF Payloads

HawkEye 360; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

HawkEye 360 is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering for aerospace RF payload systems in Richardson, Texas. In this role, you'll translate mission needs into executable architectures and guide the complete systems engineering process, ensuring mission-level technical integrity.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in aerospace systems and RF payloads, with over 10 years of experience. A competitive salary range of $175,000—$205,000 USD is offered along with an annual performance bonus and benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in aerospace or space systems engineering.
• Experience leading RF payload design for airborne or space-based platforms.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SSBI and Polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission definition, requirements development, and architecture trades.
• Conduct mission analysis including performance modeling and coverage analysis.
• Define payload performance requirements and ensure integrated payload performance.

Skills

Aerospace RF payload design

Mission systems engineering

Link analysis

Spectrum management

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in systems engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

The Senior Systems Engineer will lead mission-level systems engineering activities for advanced aerospace and space-based RF payload systems. This role is responsible for translating mission needs into executable architectures, developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and leading end-to-end systems engineering across mission analysis, RF payload design, integration, verification, and operational readiness. The position requires deep expertise in mission systems engineering, aerospace RF payload architectures, and cross-disciplinary technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission definition, requirements development, and architecture trades from concept through deployment.
• Translate stakeholder and customer mission needs into validated system-level requirements and technical baselines.
• Develop and maintain system architecture baselines and solutions.
• Conduct mission analysis including performance modeling, link budgets, coverage analysis, and operational scenarios.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, ORR) and ensure mission-level technical integrity.

• Lead system-level design of RF payloads including antennas, receivers, transmitters, frequency conversion chains, digital processing, and command/telemetry interfaces.
• Develop and validate RF link budgets, interference analysis, and spectrum compliance strategies.
• Define payload performance requirements (gain, noise figure, EIRP, G/T, bandwidth, dynamic range, etc.).
• Coordinate with hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and power teams to ensure integrated payload performance.
• Support environmental qualification and verification activities for flight hardware (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, radiation).

• Develop detailed Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) aligned to mission objectives and user needs.
• Define operational modes, timelines, command sequences, and contingency operations.
• Perform operational trade studies to optimize performance, resiliency, and lifecycle cost.
• Support mission readiness assessments and operational validation exercises.

• Lead requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification planning.
• Develop verification and validation strategies for mission and payload performance.
• Support integration and test planning, including system-level functional and performance verification.
• Ensure technical compliance with customer and program requirements.

• Serve as technical authority for mission and payload architecture decisions.
• Mentor junior systems engineers and support cross-functional integration efforts.
• Identify and manage technical risks and mitigation strategies.
• Interface directly with customers, subcontractors, and program leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (master's preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace or space systems engineering
• Demonstrated experience leading RF payload design for airborne or space-based platforms
• Strong background in RF systems, link analysis, spectrum management, and antenna systems
• Experience developing CONOPS for complex aerospace missions
• Proven experience supporting major technical reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/ORR)
• Ability to acquire and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SSBI and Polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space missions in LEO, MEO, or GEO
• Experience with digital beamforming, phased arrays, or software-defined radios
• Existing Top-Secret clearance with SSBI

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus and benefits. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

Salary Range
$175,000—$205,000 USD

Company Overview

Innovative Signal Analysis, Inc. is a leading provider of real-time signal and image processing systems for the government and remains dedicated to the development of high performance signal processing solutions. ISA works in all phases from concept design, through development and integration, to operations and maintenance of challenging mission critical systems.

Innovative Signal Analysis & HawkEye 360 are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.