Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Space Systems Engineer Payload Integration and Verification Job Description

This role focuses on designing, integrating, and developing space-based optical instruments and payloads for airborne and space platforms, while leading requirements, verification, and validation activities across the full development lifecycle. You will work closely with hardware and software teams in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment, directly next to the lab where payloads are being built, and see the tangible impact of your work on cutting-edge space programs.

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms.
• Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for complex space systems.
• Ensure full traceability of requirements throughout the development process and proactively address potential conflicts or issues.
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability activities across the entire development lifecycle.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), concepts of operations (CONOPs), and test plans.
• Generate clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance.
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of complex payloads.
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures.
• Analyze test data, identify issues, and recommend design refinements to improve system performance and reliability.
• Lead hardware and software verification and validation (V&V) activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements.
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance throughout the program.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and effectively represent the organization in project discussions.
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads, including assessing and mitigating technical risks.
• Coordinate with sub-vendors and external partners as needed to ensure successful integration and delivery of payload components.
• Support travel or off-site work as required by program needs.
• Perform other related systems engineering duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics.
• At least 5 years of professional systems engineering experience.
• At least 5 years of verification and validation (V&V) experience.
• At least 5 years of integration experience in complex systems.
• At least 5 years of requirements engineering experience, including definition, allocation, and traceability.
• Hands-on experience with requirements management tools, with the ability to provide detailed responses on tool usage and methodology.
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment with hardware, software, and test teams.
• Background in a highly regulated industry such as aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, semiconductor, or data center.
• Ability to work flexibly across software and hardware integration and requirements-focused tasks.
• Strong systems engineering skills in verification, validation, and integration within complex technical programs.
• Experience with testing activities, including planning, execution, and documentation.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations and testing in a regulated engineering environment.

• Experience with optical systems, including cameras, lenses, and related optical instruments.
• Space payload experience, particularly in the design, integration, or testing of payloads for spacecraft.
• Professional experience with Python or MATLAB for analysis, automation, or test support.
• Professional experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS or JAMA.
• Experience in test planning, including development of test procedures and verification strategies.
• Hands-on testing experience with complex hardware and software systems.
• Aerospace and defense industry Background with familiarity in space systems and payload programs.
• Assembly experience related to payloads, subsystems, or other complex hardware.
• Active security clearance is highly desirable.
• Experience working with sub-vendors and managing technical interfaces and deliverables.
• Strong communication skills for preparing technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Ability to thrive in a smaller, high-impact team environment with fast-moving, cutting-edge programs.

This is a fully onsite position, working closely with a dedicated systems engineering team and directly adjacent to laboratory facilities where payloads are assembled and tested. Standard workweek is five days per week, with flexible start times between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and final shift hours to be confirmed. The environment is fast-paced and focused on new, cutting-edge programs rather than legacy systems, offering the opportunity to see your engineering work realized in real time on hardware. You will be part of a smaller organization where each engineer has a tangible impact on the program, collaborating in a highly regulated, mission-driven space and defense setting. The culture emphasizes high expectations, strong interpersonal relationships, and close collaboration within a systems engineering team of approximately seven to eight professionals.

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $180000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.