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Payload Integration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Payload Integration Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' autonomous surface vehicles ...

The Payload Integration Engineer provides embedded support within the government program office to guide the development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system. In addition, the ...

Payload Integration Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' autonomous surface vehicles ...

Payload Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA

$106K - $143K/yr

The Payload Integration Engineer provides embedded support within the government program office to guide the development, verification, and deployment of a critical space system. In addition, the ...

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' autonomous surface vehicles ...

Responsible for the selection and integration of payloads/sensors onboard the Skydweller Unmanned Air System (UAS). * Define all system-level and subsystem-level requirements for payloads and sensors ...

Payload Integration Lead

Mineral Springs, NC ยท On-site

$92K - $121K/yr

Responsible for the selection and integration of payloads/sensors onboard the Skydweller Unmanned Air System (UAS). * Define all system-level and subsystem-level requirements for payloads and sensors ...

Payload Engineer - Space Systems & Payload Integration About the Opportunity A growing aerospace engineering organization supporting commercial and government space programs is seeking a Payload ...

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Payload Integration information

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$21.5K

$118K

$171K

How much do payload integration jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for payload integration in the United States is $117,986.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,000.00 and $146,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by payload integration specialists during satellite mission preparation?

Payload integration specialists often encounter challenges such as coordinating between multiple teams (engineering, testing, and mission operations) to ensure compatibility and safety of payloads. Managing tight schedules and adapting to last-minute design changes or unexpected technical issues are also frequent hurdles. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to navigate these complexities and ensure the payload is successfully integrated and ready for launch.

What are Payload Integration jobs?

Payload Integration jobs involve coordinating and managing the process of integrating scientific instruments, satellites, or other cargo (the 'payload') with a launch vehicle, such as a rocket or spacecraft. Professionals in this role work closely with engineering teams, customers, and mission planners to ensure that payloads are properly installed, tested, and meet all safety and interface requirements before launch. They play a critical role in making sure that payloads are delivered into space safely and function as intended. This work requires strong technical knowledge, project management skills, and attention to detail.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Payload Integration Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Payload Integration Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with payload design and integration processes. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and industry standards like NASA or ESA protocols, along with relevant certifications, is often required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for coordinating across multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure that payloads are safely, efficiently, and accurately integrated into launch vehicles, minimizing risks and maximizing mission success.

What is the difference between Payload Integration vs Payload Specialist?

AspectPayload IntegrationPayload Specialist
Required CredentialsEngineering degrees, technical certificationsTechnical background, training in payload handling
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, testing facilities, launch sitesLaunch vehicles, spacecraft, mission sites
Employer & Industry UsageAerospace companies, government agenciesNASA, aerospace contractors, space agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Payload Integration involves designing, testing, and ensuring payloads are compatible with launch vehicles, focusing on engineering and technical processes. Payload Specialist, on the other hand, is a role that involves operating and managing payloads during space missions, often requiring specialized training for onboard handling. While both roles work closely with payloads, Integration is more technical and preparatory, whereas Specialist is operational during missions.

More about Payload Integration jobs
What cities are hiring for Payload Integration jobs? Cities with the most Payload Integration job openings:
What states have the most Payload Integration jobs? States with the most job openings for Payload Integration jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Payload Integration jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Payload Integration jobs are:
Infographic showing various Payload Integration job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,986 per year, or $56.7 per hour.
Payload Integration Engineer

Payload Integration Engineer

Seasats

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Role: Payload Integration Engineer

Location: San Diego, CA (in-office)

Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits

Role Overview:

Seasats' autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) operate at sea for months at a time, carrying a wide variety of payloads. Ensuring those payloads are correctly integrated, tested, and documented is critical to every mission we run.

As a Payload Integration Engineer, you'll support the integration of payloads onto our vehicles. You'll work closely with engineers, the testing team, and cross-functional partners to help bring payloads from early development through testing and into production. This role is hands-on and detail-oriented, with an emphasis on learning, execution, and building repeatable processes.

Role Details:
You will be responsible for:

  • Conducting research and testing to evaluate payload capabilities
  • Understanding and in some cases designing electrical systems, components, and products
  • Working closely with the sales team to translate customers' system requirements into payload specifications
  • Coordinating with engineers to develop test hardware, wiring harnesses, mechanical interfaces, etc. to build and test payload integrations
  • Requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution throughout a payload system's entire development, demonstration, and production phases
  • Developing test plans and documentation such as user manuals, integration guides and troubleshooting guides
  • Helping troubleshoot integration issues across electrical, software, and system boundaries
  • Supporting the transition of payloads from R&D into production, including test setup and data handling workflows
  • Serving as a technical point of contact for payload questions, with mentorship and support from electronics team members

About You:
You're an independent, proactive engineer who enjoys owning problems and seeing projects through. You like figuring out how things work, documenting what you learn, and improving processes over time. You have:

    • A Bachelor's degree or relevant coursework in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
    • 3-5 years of experience building, assembling, or testing hardware systems (academic, personal, or professional)
    • Familiarity with PCBAs and basic electronics assembly or testing
    • Some programming experience in C or C++ (e.g., test scripts, simple tools, or embedded coursework)
    • Strong attention to detail and willingness to follow and improve documented procedures
    • Clear written and verbal communication skills

    In addition, it's nice (though not essential) if you have:

    • Exposure to embedded systems, robotics, or autonomy platforms
    • Basic networking knowledge (e.g., static IPs, SSH, device setup)
    • Startup, research, or R&D team experience

    About Seasats:

    At Seasats, we're passionate about delivering maritime robotics solutions to redefine the maritime industry. Our primary products are autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), designed to carry sensors at sea for months at a time. Our ASVs provide persistent monitoring and data acquisition to defense, scientific, and commercial customers, and have autonomously crossed both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. After thousands of years in which the only way to gather information from the ocean was to put people on a boat, these uncrewed vessels are transforming how humanity monitors and interacts with the ocean. Here, you'll find the space and opportunity to do your life's best work.

    Along with your salary, you'll receive perks including:

    • Competitive insurance (including a 99% employer-covered Gold HMO plan or other options)
    • 401k matching up to 4% of salary
    • Four free lunches per week
    • An employee activity fund
    • A pet-friendly office
    • Unlimited/Flex PTO

    Hiring Notes:

    When applying, you'll be asked to provide a resume and answer a few screening questions.

    Please note that we are currently unable to sponsor employment visas, so candidates must be independently authorized to work in the United States.

    We appreciate diverse perspectives and life experiences, and we're committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds. Seasats provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

    We look forward to reviewing your application!