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Payload Integration Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Rocket Lab

Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$95K - $131K/yr

Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their ... SENIOR VEHICLE INTEGRATION ENGINEER The Neutron Vehicle Integration Engineer is responsible for ...

i3

Systems Engineer

Huntsville, AL

The Systems Engineer will support development, integration, operational/technical support, and ... Support payload integration activities, which may include sensors, communications packages ...

Pae

Mechanical Design Engineer (ES2)

Huntsville, AL

$74K - $101K/yr

We are searching for an engineer to provide structural and mechanical design support for SLS vehicle development focusing on Spacecraft/Payload Integration. This role requires the ability to work ...

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Payload Integration Engineer information

What are Payload Integration Engineers?

Payload Integration Engineers are professionals responsible for ensuring that spacecraft payloads, such as satellites or scientific instruments, are properly designed, tested, and integrated with the launch vehicle. They coordinate between payload providers, launch vehicle teams, and mission planners to ensure compatibility and safe installation. Their work includes overseeing mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces, performing integration tests, and troubleshooting any issues that arise during the process. These engineers play a crucial role in successful space missions by ensuring payloads are delivered to orbit safely and efficiently.

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

To thrive as a Payload Integration Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, experience with systems integration, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and industry standards such as NASA or ESA requirements, as well as certifications like EIT or PE, are often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration and communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure that complex payloads are integrated safely and efficiently, meeting mission requirements and minimizing risks.

What are some common challenges Payload Integration Engineers face when coordinating with multiple teams during a satellite launch campaign?

Payload Integration Engineers frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams, including spacecraft engineering, mission operations, and launch providers. A common challenge is ensuring all payload requirements are met while aligning schedules and technical specifications across these groups. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to anticipate and resolve integration issues, manage last-minute changes, and ensure safety and mission objectives are upheld. Successfully overcoming these challenges not only ensures a smooth launch but also fosters valuable experience in multidisciplinary teamwork.
What are popular job titles related to Payload Integration Engineer jobs in Alabama? For Payload Integration Engineer jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Payload Integration Engineer jobs in Alabama look for? The top searched job categories for Payload Integration Engineer jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Payload Integration Engineer jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Payload Integration Engineer job openings:
Payload Integration Engineer jobs near you
Principal UAS Integration Engineer Aerospace & Defense | Secret Clearance | Electrical, Propulsi...

Principal UAS Integration Engineer Aerospace & Defense | Secret Clearance | Electrical, Propulsi...

KORE1 Technologies

Huntsville, AL

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Security Clearance: Active Secret or Top Secret clearance required. 

Location: Fully remote within the United States. Candidates located near major aerospace and defense hubs-including Huntsville, AL; Panama City Beach, FL; and Virginia Beach, VA-are strongly preferred.

Travel: Approximately 25% travel (typically one week per month) to support customer integration efforts, flight testing, demonstrations, military exercises, and deployment activities at government, defense, and test locations throughout the U.S. and occasionally internationally.

KORE1, a nationwide provider of staffing and recruiting solutions, has an immediate opening for a Principal UAS Integration Engineer - Aerospace & Defense | Secret Clearance | Electrical, Propulsion & Payload Integration 

The Principal UAS Integration Engineer (US) will serve as the primary technical interface between a European engineering organization and U.S. government customers. The role is responsible for leading customer-specific aircraft integration activities within the United States, with a focus on airframe structures, composite systems, propulsion systems, electrical systems, payload integration, flight testing, deployment support, and customer documentation compliance. The position operates under the technical direction of the European engineering organization while acting as the in-country engineering lead for U.S. customer programmes.
Location & General Responsibilities
  • US-based with regular travel to customer sites, test ranges, and European engineering facilities.
  • Serve as the primary technical interface between U.S. government customers and the European engineering team.
  • Lead customer-specific UAV hardware integration activities within the United States.
  • Act as the in-country engineering representative for U.S. customer programmes.
  • Translate customer operational requirements into engineering requirements and priorities.
  • Support programme execution by coordinating technical activities between customer stakeholders, subcontractors, and internal engineering teams.
  • Operate under the technical direction of the European engineering organisation while maintaining day-to-day responsibility for U.S.-based integration activities.
Aircraft, Payload & Hardware Integration
  • Lead integration of customer-specific payloads, sensors, communications equipment, antennas, mission equipment, and supporting hardware.
  • Assess mechanical, electrical, thermal, weight and balance, and installation impacts of customer-requested modifications.
  • Develop installation concepts and integration approaches in coordination with European engineering teams.
  • Support development and validation of mounting systems, cable routing, structural modifications, and equipment packaging solutions.
  • Act as the primary engineering authority for U.S.-based hardware integration activities.
Airframe, Structures & Composite Integration
  • Develop a deep understanding of UAV airframe architecture, structural design philosophy, and composite construction methods.
  • Lead assessment and implementation of customer-specific modifications affecting composite airframe structures and equipment installations.
  • Evaluate structural impacts associated with new payloads, antennas, sensors, communications equipment, and mission systems.
  • Support design reviews for composite airframe modifications, repair schemes, reinforcement concepts, and installation solutions.
  • Coordinate with European engineering teams to ensure customer modifications remain compliant with approved structural designs and airworthiness requirements.
  • Support development of manufacturing, assembly, repair, and inspection procedures associated with composite structures.
  • Provide technical oversight for subcontractors performing composite assembly, repair, or modification activities within the United States.
Propulsion, Fuel & Aircraft Systems Integration
  • Develop and maintain detailed understanding of propulsion systems, fuel systems, engine installations, cooling systems, exhaust systems, and supporting aircraft subsystems.
  • Assess impacts of customer-driven modifications on propulsion performance, fuel consumption, endurance, aircraft balance, thermal management, and maintainability.
  • Support integration of customer-specific equipment requiring interaction with propulsion, fuel, electrical, or aircraft support systems.
  • Coordinate installation and validation of propulsion-related modifications in conjunction with European engineering teams.
  • Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis of propulsion, fuel, and aircraft systems issues identified during testing and field operations.
  • Participate in ground testing, engine testing, commissioning activities, and flight readiness reviews.
Electrical Systems Integration
  • Support integration of customer-provided radios, datalinks, SATCOM systems, sensors, payloads, and mission equipment.
  • Evaluate electrical load requirements, power distribution impacts, and interface compatibility.
  • Support troubleshooting of integrated aircraft electrical systems during testing and deployment activities.
  • Coordinate with European engineering teams on electrical architecture changes and hardware upgrades.
Documentation, Technical Data & Customer Compliance
  • Review, assess, and support adaptation of UAV technical documentation to meet U.S. customer and Department of Defense requirements.
  • Act as the primary U.S. engineering focal point for customer reviews of technical data packages, integration documentation, operating procedures, maintenance manuals, and support documentation.
  • Coordinate with European engineering teams to ensure customer-requested documentation updates are accurately incorporated into controlled engineering documentation.
  • Support development, review, and maintenance of installation instructions, assembly procedures, maintenance procedures, inspection criteria, acceptance test procedures, and field support documentation.
  • Ensure engineering documentation remains aligned with approved aircraft configurations, customer modifications, and fielded system baselines.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, configuration reviews, and acceptance activities requiring engineering documentation and supporting evidence.
  • Identify gaps between existing European engineering documentation and U.S. customer expectations and coordinate closure plans with the engineering organization.
Flight Test, Demonstration & Deployment Support
  • Act as lead hardware integration engineer during customer demonstrations, evaluations, and flight test campaigns.
  • Support aircraft preparation, integration verification, troubleshooting, and readiness reviews.
  • Coordinate resolution of integration issues identified during testing and operational deployment.
  • Provide technical support during demonstrations, exercises, and field evaluations.
  • Support deployment of UAV systems into customer operational environments.
  • Provide technical guidance to customer operators, maintainers, and programme personnel.
Systems Engineering & Configuration Management
  • Maintain awareness of platform architecture, system interfaces, and engineering baselines.
  • Ensure customer modifications and integration activities remain compliant with approved engineering configurations.
  • Support requirements management, change control, and configuration management processes.
  • Assist engineering leadership in assessing impacts of customer-requested modifications.
  • Support development and maintenance of integration documentation, interface definitions, and technical reports.
Success Criteria
  • Be the trusted technical representative of the United States.
  • Successfully bridge communication and execution between U.S. customers and European engineering teams.
  • Ensure customer-specific hardware integrations are delivered efficiently while protecting platform integrity and engineering standards.
  • Successfully establish and maintain a U.S.-government-compliant technical documentation baseline supporting testing, deployment, sustainment, and customer acceptance activities.

Required Qualifications
  • Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance minimum; Top Secret preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience supporting UAS, aerospace, defense, aircraft integration, or military aviation programs.
  • Experience with UAS platforms, aerospace systems integration, aircraft modification programs, or defense aerospace programs.
  • Strong systems engineering and customer-facing technical leadership experience.
  • Experience supporting U.S. Department of Defense customers, operational testing, military programs, or fielded defense systems.
  • Hands-on experience integrating aircraft systems, payloads, sensors, communications systems, propulsion systems, or electrical systems.
  • Experience with composite aircraft structures, propulsion systems, electrical systems, and payload integration.
  • Experience supporting system validation, troubleshooting, testing, and field deployment activities.
  • Ability to review engineering designs, technical documentation, integration plans, and system requirements.
  • Experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, electrical, software, avionics, and flight-test organizations.
  • Ability to work effectively with geographically distributed engineering teams.
  • Willingness to travel within the U.S. and internationally as required.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Active U.S. Top Secret clearance.
  • Prior U.S. military service.
  • Experience supporting Group 2-5 UAS platforms.
  • Background in aircraft integration, airworthiness, flight test, aerospace certification, or military aviation environments.
  • Experience with power distribution systems, avionics integration, wiring harnesses, electrical architectures, or aircraft electronics.
  • Experience integrating ISR payloads, EO/IR sensors, communications systems, SATCOM, datalinks, mission computers, or mission equipment.
  • Experience supporting flight-test campaigns, military exercises, customer demonstrations, or operational deployments.
  • Experience working with SOCOM, Army UAS programs, DIU, AFWERX, DEVCOM, NAVAIR, USAF, or major defense prime contractors.
  • Experience supporting rapid prototyping, customer-specific aircraft modifications, or operational capability deployments.

Compensation depends on experience but is typically $150-250K. Contractors may be considered instead of FTEs (projected 12 months with extensions). 

ABOUT KORE1
Specializing in professional and technical recruiting, KORE1 is committed to supporting top IT, Engineering, Creative, Scientific, Accounting and Finance professionals in their career paths. We build deep relationships with leading companies, connecting them to exceptional talent every day. With extensive industry expertise and unmatched opportunities, our goal is to provide a unique experience for our contractors and consultants as they prepare for their next role. We are passionate about matching the right people with the right companies.

Kore1 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Kore1 complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Kore1 expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Kore1's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Education:Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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