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