Sr. SE – Mission Systems & RF Payloads

The Senior Systems Engineer will lead mission-level systems engineering activities for advanced aerospace and space-based RF payload systems. This role is responsible for translating mission needs into executable architectures, developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and leading end-to-end systems engineering across mission analysis, RF payload design, integration, verification, and operational readiness. The position requires deep expertise in mission systems engineering, aerospace RF payload architectures, and cross-disciplinary technical leadership.

Your main responsibilities will be

Mission Systems Engineering

• Lead mission definition, requirements development, and architecture trades from concept through deployment.
• Translate stakeholder and customer mission needs into validated system-level requirements and technical baselines.
• Develop and maintain system architecture baselines and solutions.
• Conduct mission analysis including performance modeling, link budgets, coverage analysis, and operational scenarios.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, ORR) and ensure mission-level technical integrity.

Aerospace RF Payload Design

• Lead system-level design of RF payloads including antennas, receivers, transmitters, frequency conversion chains, digital processing, and command/telemetry interfaces.
• Develop and validate RF link budgets, interference analysis, and spectrum compliance strategies.
• Define payload performance requirements (gain, noise figure, EIRP, G/T, bandwidth, dynamic range, etc.).
• Coordinate with hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and power teams to ensure integrated payload performance.
• Support environmental qualification and verification activities for flight hardware (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, radiation).

CONOPS Development

• Develop detailed Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) aligned to mission objectives and user needs.
• Define operational modes, timelines, command sequences, and contingency operations.
• Perform operational trade studies to optimize performance, resiliency, and lifecycle cost.
• Support mission readiness assessments and operational validation exercises.

Requirements & Verification

• Lead requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification planning.
• Develop verification and validation strategies for mission and payload performance.
• Support integration and test planning, including system-level functional and performance verification.
• Ensure technical compliance with customer and program requirements.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as technical authority for mission and payload architecture decisions.
• Mentor junior systems engineers and support cross-functional integration efforts.
• Identify and manage technical risks and mitigation strategies.
• Interface directly with customers, subcontractors, and program leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (master’s preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace or space systems engineering
• Demonstrated experience leading RF payload design for airborne or space-based platforms
• Strong background in RF systems, link analysis, spectrum management, and antenna systems
• Experience developing CONOPS for complex aerospace missions
• Proven experience supporting major technical reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/ORR)
• Ability to acquire and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SSBI and Polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space missions in LEO, MEO, or GEO
• Experience with digital beamforming, phased arrays, or software-defined radios
• Existing Top-Secret clearance with SSBI

We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus, benefits and equity. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

Salary Range

$175,000 — $205,000 USD

Company Overview

Innovative Signal Analysis, Inc. is a leading provider of real-time signal and image processing systems for the government and remains dedicated to the development of high performance signal processing solutions. ISA works in all phases from concept design, through development and integration, to operations and maintenance of challenging mission critical systems.

Innovative Signal Analysis & HawkEye 360 are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.