Space System Payload Engineer - Level 4

Mission Context

LV8D Solutions supports national security space and intelligence customers delivering next-generation sensing and exploitation capabilities. The Space System Payload Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, characterization, calibration, validation, and operation of space payload systems across government, commercial, and defense space programs, with a focus on EO/IR sensors, imaging payloads, scientific instrumentation, and associated mission systems.

LV8D Solutions supports national security space and intelligence customers delivering next-generation sensing and exploitation capabilities. The Space System Payload Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, characterization, calibration, validation, and operation of space payload systems across government, commercial, and defense space programs, with a focus on EO/IR sensors, imaging payloads, scientific instrumentation, and associated mission systems.

LV8D Solutions is seeking a Space System Payload Engineer*. The role requires knowledge of systems engineering processes throughout the payload lifecycle, including requirements development, verification and validation, mission integration, payload performance analysis, link budgets, sensor modeling, and mission data analysis. Responsibilities include supporting initialization and on-orbit calibration and validation activities; coordinating proposed requirements changes, mission analysis, and acquisition teams; attending segment-level design reviews and program management reviews to assess design maturity, requirements compliance, and technical risk;

and reviewing acquisition milestone documentation for adequacy, accuracy, and completeness.

Interested candidates need to thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment; are highly motivated and not afraid to take on uncharted territory; possess strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills; and be able to prioritize their time to be effective in a dynamic environment.

• Experience supporting the design, integration, testing, and operation of space payload systems for government, commercial, or defense space programs
• Familiarity with spacecraft payload architectures including EO/IR sensors, imaging payloads, or scientific instrumentation
• Knowledge of systems engineering processes throughout the payload lifecycle including requirements development, verification, validation, and mission integration
• Experience conducting payload performance analysis, link budgets, sensor modeling, or mission data analysis
• Familiarity with environmental and qualification testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and functional testing for spaceflight hardware
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary engineering teams supporting spacecraft bus, mission operations, and ground segment integration
• Proficiency with engineering and analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, STK, LabVIEW, DOORS, Cameo, or equivalent modeling and simulation environments
• Understanding of space environment impacts including radiation effects, thermal constraints, orbital dynamics, and reliability considerations
• Ability to support technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and mission readiness reviews
• Experience developing technical documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), verification plans, and test procedures
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in fast-paced mission environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting technical information to customers and program leadership
• Support initialization and characterization activities across the NRO enterprise and with the development contractors
• Coordinate proposed requirements changes across all SPO organizations and with mission analysis and acquisition teams to ensure completeness of review across the acquisition
• Support initialization and on-orbit calibration and validation activities
• Attend Segment level design reviews and program management reviews to assess design maturity, requirements compliance and to provide informed…