Senior Payload Integration Systems Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Payload Integration Systems Engineer to lead the integration of advanced mission payloads - including EO/IR sensors, MWIR systems, communications payloads, and other mission equipment onto unmanned aircraft platforms.

This role blends electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering, and is ideal for someone who enjoys building, testing, troubleshooting, and validating complex payloads in a fast-paced environment.

You will work across multidisciplinary teams to ensure payloads are fully compatible with aircraft systems, meet mission requirements, and are ready for ground and flight testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration of mission payloads onto unmanned aircraft platforms, including airborne systems and ground control elements.

• Develop mechanical, electrical, and software interface plans to ensure seamless payload operation.

• Integrate and configure data links, communication interfaces, and control systems for real-time payload operation.

• Conduct hands-on hardware/software integration, sensor bring-up, and system-level debugging.

• Create test procedures and support ground and flight tests to validate payload performance.

• Troubleshoot issues across electrical, mechanical, optical, and networking domains.

• Ensure compliance with SWaP-C constraints, EMI/EMC considerations, and environmental requirements.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, suppliers, and customers to define requirements and drive solutions.

• Maintain and develop system documentation, interface control documents, and certification artifacts.

• Provide technical input on new payload technologies and platform capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).

• Experience integrating payloads or mission systems in aerospace, defense, robotics, or related hardware-driven environments.

• Strong understanding of electrical and mechanical interfacing, including power distribution, harnessing, and structural integration.

• Experience with command-and-control interfaces, data links, or networked payload systems.

• Hands-on experience with optical/EO/IR payloads, sensors, or imaging systems.

• Familiarity with EMI/EMC challenges and environmental qualification testing.

• Strong troubleshooting ability across hardware/software boundaries.

• Experience developing and executing test plans for complex systems.

• Ability to work onsite full-time and travel for field testing, demonstrations, and customer events.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

• Experience integrating sensors or payloads onto unmanned aircraft or other constrained airborne platforms.

• Knowledge of embedded communication protocols (Ethernet, Serial, RS-422/485, CAN, 1553, etc.).

• Exposure to ISR payloads, advanced optics, RF systems, or lethality mission payloads.

• Experience supporting government programs or certification processes.

• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead small integration projects.

• Comfortable working in fast-paced, rapidly evolving technical environments.

To learn more, apply today.