Systems Engineer EO/IR Payloads (1144500)

The Judge Group; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer in Denver, CO to lead active EO/IR system architecture definition, radiometric modeling, and lab/flight testing. You will manage interfaces, work with cross-functional teams, and guide system-level trades from concept to deployment.

Responsibilities include developing test plans, validating models with real-world data, and authoring ICDs for payload integration, while ensuring performance and reliability for space-domain missions.

Qualifications

• BS or higher degree in engineering or hard science.
• Experience in system design and development from concept through test and delivery to customer.
• Deep understanding of optical test equipment, tools and methodologies with physics relevance.
• Experience with advanced payload analyses and laboratory measurements (photon transfer, radiometry, etc.).
• Ability to write technical documentation, procedures and reports.
• Strong lab skills and familiarity with opto-electrical test & measurement equipment.

Responsibilities

• Define system architectures for active and passive EO payloads via trade studies and analyses.
• Model sensor performance and derive requirements from models.
• Lead prototype sensor system development in a lab environment.
• Create test plans to measure payload KPIs in lab and field environments.
• Characterize radiometric and geometric performance of flight hardware with test equipment.
• Collaborate with hardware, software and mission teams to deliver high-performance systems.
• Validate models against lab and real-world data.
• Coordinate with external & internal stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds.
• Author ICDs for payload integration across electrical, data, algorithms, mechanical, thermal and optical interfaces.
• Define on-orbit calibration sequences and provide real-time engineering support during operations.
• Develop test plans for qualification and acceptance of space flight hardware.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

EO/IR modeling

System integration

Technical documentation

Lab testing

Education

BS or higher in engineering or hard science

Tools

MODTRAN

SPIRITS

AFSIM

Job description

Location: Denver, CO

Salary: $150,000.00 USD Annually - $200,000.00 USD Annually

Title: Systems Engineer

Full-Time permanent role

Locations: Denver, Colorado, USA

Client is a leading Space Surveillance and Intelligence company focused on ensuring orbital safety and sustainability. With expertise in space-based detection, tracking, identification, and monitoring, client provides comprehensive domain awareness across regimes, allowing end users to have actionable intelligence on a single platform. At the core of its infrastructure lies a sophisticated integration of hardware and software capabilities aligned with the key principles of situational awareness: perception (data collection), comprehension (data processing), and prediction (analytics). This holistic approach empowers client to monitor all Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in orbit, fostering comprehensive domain awareness.

Client is seeking an experienced and driven Systems Engineer to spearhead the definition of active EO/IR system architectures. You will perform radiometric performance modeling as well as laboratory, ground, and flight testing. To predict real-world performance, you will also model atmospheric and environmental effects for land, sea, and air targets. You will carefully manage all spacecraft interfaces and will leverage your analyses to inform system-level architectural trades. As needed, you will also lead small teams of engineers from concept ideation through system definition and development.

You should have a track record of successfully working on fast-paced, highly technical, interdisciplinary teams. Proficiency in analytical toolchains or languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python) is required. Experience with industry standard EO/IR modeling software packages (e.g. MODTRAN, SPIRITS, AFSIM) is a plus. Prior experience working with space sensors and systems is highly desirable.

Why Us?

• Be part of a collaborative, innovative and mission-focused environment where your ideas and skills have significant, real-world impact.
• Shape company culture, set the foundation for future success, build world-class teams.
• Competitive salary, benefits and equity package.

Responsibilities

• Define system architectures for active and passive EO payloads via detailed trade studies and analyses.
• Model sensor system performance and derive requirements based on those models.
• Take ownership of prototype sensor system development in a lab environment.
• Identify payload key performance parameters and create test plans and procedures to measure these parameters in a laboratory environment and field-based experiments.
• Perform hands-on characterization and calibration of the radiometric and geometric performance of flight hardware using collimators, integrating spheres, theodolites, laser trackers, interferometers, and other optical test equipment
• Engage technically with the hardware, software, and mission teams to define, integrate, and deliver high-performance systems to our customers.
• Validate models against laboratory and real-world data.
• Coordinate and communicate with both external & internal stakeholders with varying degrees of technical background.
• Work with the external and internal engineering team to author Interface Control Documents (ICD) covering all aspects of payload integration including electrical, data, algorithmic, mechanical, thermal, and optical interfaces
• Define on-orbit calibration sequences, initialization procedures, and provide real-time engineering support during nominal operations
• Develop test plans and procedures for prototype, qualification, and acceptance of space systems flight hardware

Required Qualification

• BS or higher degree in engineering or hard science
• Experience in system design and development from initial concept through test and delivery to customer.
• Deep understanding of professional optical test equipment, tools and methodologies with a tie back to the underlying physics
• Experience with advanced payload analyses and laboratory measurements including photon transfer, dark current, radiometry, responsivity, distortion mapping, boresight alignments, non-uniformity corrections, point spread function, modulation transfer function, and more
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training
• Experience writing technical documentation, procedures, and reports
• Strong laboratory skills (rapid prototyping, design of experiments) and familiarity with opto-electrical test and measurement equipment, cleanrooms, ESD-safe environments.
• Willingness to travel to test sites, as needed.
• Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Qualities

• Experience with laser systems, including opto-mechanical scanning and beam steering techniques.
• Knowledge of electro-mechanical control systems, including their performance requirements and verification methodologies.
• Experience with LiDAR/Radar signal processing techniques, and knowledge of their implementation on real-time embedded platforms (FPGA, MCU, etc.).
• Experience with signature and/or scenario modeling/software packages (MODTRAN, SPIRITS, AFSIM).
• Experience with stray light, depth of focus, and supplementary payload analyses
• Experience with optical modeling in tools such as Zemax or Code V