Sr. Payload Systems Engineer

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).

Vantor is hiring for a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to join our team in Westminster, CO. The team is responsible for defining the mission, satellite, and payload architecture behind next-generation space constellations. This role offers direct exposure to complex, integrated systems including spacecraft platforms, optical payloads, laser communications, and advanced onboard processing. We work closely with top-tier industry partners, providing the opportunity to influence and oversee high-impact programs across the full system. Our team is composed of highly experienced engineers and leaders who understand how to deliver. We operate with a deliberate balance of lean execution and disciplined 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 the systems we deliver.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as 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.
• Assess and troubleshoot emerging payload and bus designs down to the circuit level using your electrical engineering background.
• Support radiation analysis and mitigation strategies for electronics in space environments, collaborating with design teams to guide EEE parts selection and architecture-level protections.
• Perform or review signal and power integrity analyses, and ensure adherence to space-qualified electrical standards (MIL-STD, ECSS, NASA standards, etc.).
• 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.

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.
• 8+ years of experience working with space-based optical remote sensing payloads, especially within LEO missions.
• Proven experience in electrical systems engineering for space platforms, including familiarity with radiation effects on electronic systems and parts derating/qualification processes.
• Demonstrated experience with spacecraft-payload interface development, electrical interface analysis, and supporting cross-functional teams across the space segment.
• Ability to interpret and analyze schematics, block diagrams, and PCB layouts, and perform system-level implications analysis from hardware-level changes.
• Demonstrated familiarity with current and emerging FPGA, processor, and memory technologies.
• Previous experience working across payload, spacecraft, and ground teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• Experience with modeling tools such as MATLAB, 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).

Pay Transparency: In support of pay transparency at Vantor, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $107,000.00 - $179,000.00 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.

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.