user avatar

Space RF Payload Specialist

Zachary Piper Solutions, LLC

Posted today

Job Requirements

El Segundo, CA
Top Secret Polygraph
Career Level not specified
$160,000 - $220,000

Job Description

is seeking a cleared to support a critical national security space mission in This position is ideal for a highly experienced engineer with deep expertise in spaceborne RF payloads, digital signal processing, remote sensing, mission analysis, and systems engineering. You will work directly alongside government customers, providing technical leadership and oversight throughout the development, integration, deployment, and operational lifecycle of advanced RF payload capabilities.


  • Serve as the primary technical advisor and oversight authority for the development, build, verification, integration, and deployment of spaceborne RF payloads.
  • Provide government leadership with technical assessments and recommendations regarding payload design, development progress, and risk mitigation efforts.
  • Generate and refine system and payload requirements to support mission objectives.
  • Conduct evaluations and compliance assessments of requirements implementation and requirements flow-down.
  • Perform concept design reviews, trade studies, and analyses of alternatives.
  • Assess Critical Technology Elements (CTEs), Technology Readiness Assessments (TRAs), and Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs).
  • Support development and analysis of Concept of Operations (CONOPS) documentation.
  • Provide technical oversight of payload integration and test activities onto candidate spacecraft platforms.
  • Support transition-to-operations activities including operator training, payload initialization, checkout procedures, and on-orbit operations.
  • Assess proposed payload design modifications and evaluate impacts to performance, spacecraft compatibility, and mission objectives.
  • Review and assess risk reduction plans intended to improve payload design maturity and hardware readiness.
  • Coordinate with prime contractors, subcontractors, and government stakeholders to ensure technical progress, schedule adherence, and successful mission execution.


  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a technical discipline such as Physics, Mathematics, or Aerospace Engineering with 14+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in a related technical field with 12+ years of relevant experience.
  • Extensive experience with spaceborne RF payloads, digital signal processing, signal analysis, and mission data processing systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop effective engineering solutions.
  • Working knowledge of orbital mechanics and environmental effects impacting spaceborne RF payload performance.
  • Experience applying Systems Engineering principles throughout payload development, integration, and spacecraft implementation efforts.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively brief customer leadership and technical teams.
  • Must possess an in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI), adjudicated for SCI eligibility, and be enrolled in the Continuous Evaluation Program (as applicable).
  • Must be willing to be nominated for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) access and consent to a Polygraph examination.


  • 16+ years of experience supporting RF payload development programs.
  • Experience with integration and testing of spaceborne RF payloads on spacecraft platforms.
  • Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes and lifecycle management.
  • Experience serving as a Project Manager, Technical Lead, or Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead on space payload programs.
  • Ability to develop and analyze end-to-end link budgets for space-to-ground communications systems and RF payload architectures.


  • Compensation:
  • Full Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, Paid Holidays, and additional company-sponsored benefits.



group id: 10430981
job ad image
Find Zachary Piper Solutions, LLC on Social Media
Recruiters
user avatar
About Us
Zachary Piper Solutions is a National Security focused technology services and consulting firm with a top-secret facility clearance. We support mission-critical initiatives on behalf of the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, and a variety of Civilian Agencies. ZPS is dedicated to help protect government networks against cyber threats and to maximize the wide-spectrum of intelligence and security-related technologies. Our dedicated support and proven experience drive results in support of our client’s mission objectives.
job ad2 image

Zachary Piper Solutions, LLC Jobs


Clearance Level
Top Secret