System Integration Engineer

Strativ Group; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Strativ Group in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Lead Payload Systems Engineer to own the full payload lifecycle across programs, from interface definition and integration through flight readiness and mission delivery.

You will coordinate end-to-end payload integration (mechanical, electrical, thermal, RF, data), lead IV&V across lab, ground, and flight, manage vendors and ICD ownership, and drive design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) to ensure successful missions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in payload systems, integration, or operations on flight hardware.
• Experience with EO/IR sensors, comms payloads, and multi-sensor systems.
• Familiarity with CAD and system modelling tools.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end payload integration including mechanical, electrical, thermal, RF, and data interfaces.
• IV&V planning and execution across lab, ground, and flight environments.
• Vendor management, ICD ownership, and design-review leadership (PDR/CDR/TRR).
• Payload documentation, configuration management, and flight readiness sign-off.

Skills

Payload systems leadership

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Vendor management

System integration

Tools

CAD: SolidWorks/CATIA

Systems modelling tools

Job description

Most aerospace companies build things that fly. We build things that float above the clouds - and stay there.

We operate high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) in the stratosphere at 18-21km - persistent, deployable, and capable of changing how the world connects and observes itself. Our customers include global telecoms, climate researchers, and civil and defense agencies. We move fast, fly real hardware, and operate at the edge of what's technically possible.

We're looking for a Lead Payload Systems Engineer to own the full payload lifecycle across our programs - from interface definition and integration through flight readiness and mission delivery.

What makes this role unusual:

• You'll work across EO, telecom, hyperspectral, LiDAR, and radar payloads - not just one sensor type
• Your work flies. Real platforms, real missions, real impact
• You'll be the technical authority - not a cog in a large prime contractor hierarchy

What you'll own:

• End-to-end payload integration: mechanical, electrical, thermal, RF, and data interfaces
• IV&V planning and execution across lab, ground, and flight environments
• Vendor management, ICD ownership, and design review leadership (PDR, CDR, TRR)
• Payload documentation, configuration management, and flight readiness sign-off

What we're looking for:

• 10+ years in payload systems, integration, or operations on flight hardware
• Deep familiarity with EO/IR sensors, comms payloads, multi-sensors or other complex systems (RF, Avionics etc)
• Experience with CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA) and systems modelling tools
• Strong communicator who can lead across disciplines and manage external vendors