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Payload Integration Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Principal Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Principal Integration Engineer - Payload leads end-to-end integration of advanced radar and ISR payloads into spacecraft bus architectures. This role requires radar payload integration experience ...

Protouch Staffing

Payload Engineer

Houston, TX

$80K - $130K/yr

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

SAIC

Principal Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA

$160K - $200K/yr

The Principal Integration Engineer - Payload leads end-to-end integration of advanced radar and ISR payloads into spacecraft bus architectures. This role requires radar payload integration experience ...

SAIC

Principal Integration Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

This role requires radar payload integration experience and supports complex interface ... Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace ...

Apex

Mission Integration Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles. Apex manufactures ... The Mission Integration Engineer is also responsible for acting as a generalist across our programs ...

Ventus Solutions

Integration Engineer

Newport, RI

$104K - $140K/yr

You will possess strong technical expertise supporting submarine combat systems, payload integration efforts, systems engineering activities, and future capability development initiatives. In this ...

Ventus Solutions

Integration Engineer

Newport, RI

$104K - $140K/yr

You will possess strong technical expertise supporting submarine combat systems, payload integration efforts, systems engineering activities, and future capability development initiatives. In this ...

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Payload Integration Engineer information

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$44.5K

$124.3K

$173.5K

How much do payload integration engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for payload integration engineer in the United States is $124,275.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
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Payload Integration Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payload Integration Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,275 per year, or $59.7 per hour.
Principal Integration Engineer

Principal Integration Engineer

SAIC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 210 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2614461
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-10
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Sys Integration
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI with Poly
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
Position Summary:
The Principal Integration Engineer - Payload leads end-to-end integration of advanced radar and ISR payloads into spacecraft bus architectures. This role requires radar payload integration experience and supports complex interface, verification, and mission integration activities for national security space programs.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead integration of radar and ISR payloads with spacecraft bus subsystems across electrical, mechanical, thermal, RF, and command/data interfaces.
  • Develop and manage payload-to-bus interface control documents (ICDs) and verification artifacts.
  • Execute system-level functional integration, hardware bring-up, and payload performance testing.
  • Coordinate with systems engineering, RF payload, radar design, and MBSE/digital engineering teams.
  • Drive integration readiness events including interface reviews, IRRs, environmental test plans, and launch readiness activities.
  • Perform integration risk assessments and technical trade studies.
  • Lead troubleshooting of payload anomalies during integration, test, and early orbit operations.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field;
  • Master's preferred.
  • 10-15+ years of experience in payload or spacecraft integration, including radar or ISR payloads.
  • Direct experience with radar payload integration and spacecraft interfaces.
  • Expertise with ICD development, verification planning, and configuration-controlled documentation.
  • Hands-on experience with system-level test environments and space hardware certification.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance .

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with space-based radar payloads or ISR mission architectures.
  • Knowledge of digital engineering workflows and MBSE tools such as Cameo or MagicDraw.
  • Experience supporting launch campaigns and early-orbit commissioning.
  • Strong communication skills for technical leadership and customer engagement.
  • Must have a TS/SCI, and be willing to obtain a poly.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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