Sr. Payload Systems Engineer (Secret Security)

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee.

Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Please review the job details below.

Vantor is hiring for a Systems / Electronics Engineer to join our SpaceWrx team in Westminster, CO. This position offers in-office work days on Tuesday through Thursday and from home on Mondays and Fridays.

The team is responsible for end-to-end development of our next-generation satellite constellation, including defining the architecture and requirements for mission, vehicle, and payload elements; working with top-tier industry suppliers during manufacturing, integration, and test; and supporting launch and initial on-orbit operations. This is a broad Systems Engineering role with a special concentration on electronics. It offers direct exposure to complex, integrated systems including spacecraft platforms, optical payloads, laser communications, and advanced onboard processing. It also necessarily links the capabilities provided by such technologies to Vantor’s imagery and software products to critical customer needs.

Vantor is known as the premiere provider of commercial imagery in the world. Our team is composed of multidisciplined engineers and leaders operating with a deliberate balance of lean execution and robust engineering, enabling us to move quickly while maintaining the rigor required for mission success. Just as important, we’ve built a culture of strong collaboration, shared ownership, and camaraderie—with a clear sense of purpose behind systems we deliver.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the technical interface between the imaging payload and spacecraft bus, ensuring compatibility and joint performance optimization across electrical, 
mechanical, thermal, and data interfaces.
• Lead and participate in system-level trades to evaluate design alternatives, performance vs. cost/risk trade-offs, and technology insertion opportunities.
• Model and evaluate payload-level power, data, and timing interactions and contribute to electrical interface control documentation (ICDs).
• Participate in the evaluation of emerging technologies, COTS/FoS 
(Commercial/Flyable off the Shelf) hardware, and new mission concepts with an eye toward system-level integration feasibility.
• Contribute to design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and work across disciplines to ensure the payload systems meet performance, reliability, and environmental constraints.
• To the extent supported by previous experience in electrical engineering and electronics design (highly desirable), assess and troubleshoot emerging payload and bus designs down to the circuit level.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active secret Security Clearance or have the ability to 
obtain secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a 
related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience working with space-based optical remote sensing payloads
or similar hardware systems.
• Demonstrated experience with spacecraft-payload interface development, electrical interface analysis, and supporting cross-functional teams across the space segment.
• Experience with general software tools such as MATLAB and Python, and ability to learn and utilize new tools as dictated by evolving job demands.
• Understanding of requirements development documentation (e.g., specifications 
and ICDs) and processes.
• Ability to interpret and analyze schematics, block diagrams, and PCB layouts, and perform system-level implications analysis from hardware-level changes.
• Familiarity with current and emerging technologies, including in the areas of FPGAs, processors, memory, and storage devices.
• Previous experience working across organizational boundaries, e.g., between payload, spacecraft, and ground teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Physics.
• Proven experience in electrical systems engineering for space platforms, including familiarity with radiation effects on electronic systems and parts derating/qualification processes.
• Experience with modeling tools such as STK, SPICE, HFSS, or signal integrity/power analysis software.
• Familiarity with imaging payloads (visible, multispectral, or hyperspectral), data processing requirements, and performance metrics (SNR, MTF, etc.).
• Experience with fault management, redundancy architectures, and design for reliability in long-duration space missions.
• Familiarity with space industry quality and standards frameworks (NASA GSFC, JPL, ECSS, MIL-STD-1547, IPC standards)

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Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

● The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $107,000.00 - $143,000.00 - $157,300.00 annually.

 

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at:  careers

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. 

The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.

EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.