Principal Engineer - Space Payloads

Please Note:

To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At Cesium Astro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, Cesium Astro is the place for you.

We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are seeking a highly skilled Space Payload Responsible Engineer (RE) to lead the design, development, integration, test, and flight qualification of advanced spaceborne payloads. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with phased array systems, RF receivers, power and control architectures, and spacecraft-level interfaces. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for the payload, guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams from concept through on-orbit activation.

You will be responsible for technical execution, schedule and risk management, cross-functional coordination, and delivering a fully qualified payload to spacecraft integration. This position requires strong leadership, deep engineering knowledge, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced mission environment.

• Serve as the Payload Responsible Engineer (RE) and primary technical point of contact for the payload throughout the mission lifecycle.
• Lead theend-to-end engineering effortfor the payload, including architecture, design, prototyping, integration, test, environmental qualification, and flight readiness.
• Coordinate and direct a team ofRF, digital, mechanical, thermal, software, and systems engineers to ensure consistent and timely technical execution.
• Develop and review payload control schemes, internal data interfaces, command & telemetry architecture, and firmware/software integration as needed.
• Oversee development and performance ofphased array antennas including beamforming, calibration, and environmental considerations..
• Manage allflight qualification activities, including environmental test planning (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMC), margin assessment, and final acceptance testing.
• Generate and maintain payload-level documentation: requirements, ICDs, block diagrams, test plans, verification matrices, risk registers, and design reviews.
• Interface with spacecraft systems engineering, mission assurance, manufacturing, vendors, and test facilities.
• Driveroot cause analysis, anomaly resolution, and technical risk mitigation throughout development and test campaigns.
• Communicate status, technical trades, risks, and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field. (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.)
• 9 years of engineering experience in space payload development or RF/antenna systems.
• Direct experience designing and testing phased array antennas for space or high-reliability applications.
• Hands-on experience with
  
  RF receivers, including front-end architectures, down converters, filtering, and RF system modeling.
• Demonstrated understanding ofpayload control systems, digital interfaces, command & data handling, and embedded hardware/software interactions.
• Experience with space power systems, including DC-DC converters, load analysis, protections, and spacecraft power interfaces.
  
  Proven experience executing or overseeing flight qualification and environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vib/shock, EMC, radiation considerations).
• Leadership experience, including mentoring or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  
  Proficiency with engineering tools such as RF simulation packages (HFSS, CST, ADS, MATLAB), schematic/PCB tools, or systems engineering tools (Doors, Cameo).
• Strong knowledge of space systems engineering practices, requirements flowdown, verification/validation, and configuration management.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences.

• Experience managing projects for government and commercial customers. Experience with radiation-tolerant design, proton/total-dose analysis, and EEE parts selection.
• Experience with high-rate manufacturing, rapid development cycles, or New Space ecosystems.
• Prior role as aResponsible Engineer, Technical Lead, IPT Lead, or Chief Engineer on flight hardware.
• Experience with ground test setups, RF test equipment, phased array calibration, and antenna range measurement.
• Background…