Sr. Payload Systems Engineer

Vantor is seeking a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to join our Engineering & Architecture team in the Aerospace & Defense sector. In this role, you will lead end-to-end payload system design, integration, and performance analysis for advanced mission solutions. Responsibilities include requirements development, systems modeling, trade studies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure mission readiness and compliance. You will mentor junior engineers, drive technical innovation, and support proposals. Vantor offers a culture of innovation, diversity, and continuous learning, with opportunities to influence next-generation payload architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end systems engineering for aerospace and defense payloads, from concept through deployment and support.
• Translate mission objectives into system and subsystem requirements, architecture, and interface definitions for complex payloads.
• Perform trade studies to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk across payload architectures and components.
• Develop and maintain model-based systems engineering (MBSE) artifacts, including system models, diagrams, and specifications.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, AI/ML, and data engineering teams to ensure fully integrated, testable payload designs.
• Define and execute verification and validation strategies, including test plans, procedures, and success criteria for payload systems.
• Oversee integration and test activities, including environmental, functional, and performance testing of payload hardware and software.
• Support troubleshooting, anomaly resolution, and root-cause analysis during integration, qualification, and flight or field test campaigns.
• Incorporate AI, machine learning, and advanced signal or data processing into payload architectures where appropriate.
• Interface directly with customers and partners to clarify requirements, present technical solutions, and support design and program reviews.
• Contribute to proposals, technical roadmaps, and new business efforts by defining payload concepts, risk assessments, and estimates.
• Mentor junior engineers, promote systems engineering best practices, and support continuous improvement of engineering processes.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense standards, export control regulations, and security and quality requirements.
• Leverage digital engineering techniques such as digital twins and simulation to improve design iteration speed and reliability.

Required Skills

• Systems engineering for aerospace and defense payloads
• Payload architecture and requirements development
• Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and/or RF/communications payload design familiarity
• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody, or similar
• Requirements management using DOORS, Jama, or equivalent tools
• System modeling, simulation, and performance analysis
• Interface control documentation (ICD) development and management
• Environmental and qualification test planning and execution (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, etc.)
• Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and reliability engineering
• Integration and test of complex hardware/software systems
• Experience with AI/ML integration into payloads or mission data processing (e.g., Python, Tensor
• Flow, Py
• Torch)
• Signal and data processing for sensor payloads
• Configuration management and version control practices (e.g., Git)
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense standards and mission lifecycles
• Technical leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration
• Strong written and verbal communication for customer and internal reviews