Overnight Rf Drive Testing Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

 

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today's most critical missions.

***We have a strong preference for this hire to be based in Southern California***

What You'll Do:

In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for hosted payload missions, leading payload development from early mission concept through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations. You will operate as a payload-focused Chief Engineer, owning payload performance, payload-to-bus integration, technical risk retirement, and mission success across communications, sensing, compute, and advanced technology payloads. Working closely with spacecraft manufacturers, suppliers, mission operations teams, and customers, you will ensure payload requirements are translated into executable designs and successfully integrated into GEO and MEO spacecraft architectures. This role sits at the center of mission execution, requiring deep systems thinking, cross-functional leadership, and hands-on involvement throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.

• Lead payload architecture, accommodation trades, and technical decision-making across hosted payload and payload-centric mission opportunities
• Serve as the primary authority for payload-to-bus integration, ensuring alignment across mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, RF, software, TT&C, and mission operations interfaces
• Define and manage payload requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), verification plans, and configuration baselines
• Lead verification and validation activities including functional testing, EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, RF performance, and end-to-end mission testing
• Drive integration planning and execution across spacecraft manufacturing, EGSE/MGSE environments, environmental testing, and launch preparation activities
• Lead payload commissioning, calibration, checkout, and performance validation activities during on-orbit operations
• Evaluate hosted payload opportunities and mission concepts, assessing technical feasibility, integration impacts, risk, schedule, and performance considerations
• Partner with spacecraft providers, suppliers, customers, and mission stakeholders to resolve technical issues and drive program execution
• Support major program reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and technical interchange meetings
• Identify, manage, and retire technical risks throughout the mission lifecycle while maintaining focus on mission performance and operational success

Who You Are:

 

You are a highly experienced spacecraft and payload systems engineer with a track record of leading complex payload missions from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations. You understand how payloads interact with spacecraft buses, mission operations, and supporting ground systems, and you are comfortable navigating technical challenges across mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, RF, software, and operational domains. You bring strong systems engineering discipline, exceptional technical judgment, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams through ambiguity, integration challenges, and mission-critical decisions. You are equally effective working with customers, spacecraft manufacturers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams, serving as the connective force that aligns stakeholders around mission success. Ultimately, you take ownership of payload performance and mission outcomes, ensuring technical excellence throughout the full spacecraft lifecycle.

• Demonstrated ownership of payload development across at least one spacecraft mission through requirements, integration and test, launch, and on-orbit commissioning
• Deep understanding of spacecraft payload integration across mechanical, thermal, structural, electrical, power, RF, avionics, software, and mission operations domains
• Experience leading requirements development, interface management, verification and validation, configuration management, and technical risk mitigation activities
• Strong familiarity with spacecraft integration and test environments including cleanroom operations, environmental testing, EGSE/MGSE, and spacecraft-level integration workflows
• Experience supporting GEO and/or MEO missions, hosted payloads, multi-tenant spacecraft, or advanced payload architectures preferred
• Familiarity with RF communications systems, sensing payloads, onboard processing systems, and mission operations concepts
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to drive technical alignment across internal and external teams
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance preferred

SES Space and Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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