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Payload Integration Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Payload Lead

Lafayette, CO ยท On-site

$200K - $260K/yr

EOI Space is looking for a talented Payload Lead with a strong background in the fundamentals of ... In this role, you will hold broad responsibility to drive design; ground-based integration ...

AI&T Technician I

Greenwood Village, CO ยท On-site

$27 - $29/hr

York's complete Space Segment Solution includes spacecraft production, payload integration, system integration & test, launch services, ground segment services, and mission operations, enabling ...

Showing results 21-40

Payload Integration information

What is a payload integration?

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 skills and qualifications are needed for payload integration?

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 are 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 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.

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Payload Integration jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Payload Integration job openings:

Systems Architect - New Business Proposals

Greenwood Village, CO โ€ข On-site

York Space Systems
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturingย โ€ขย 1 - 10 employees

$245K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 hours ago


Job description

Systems Architect - New Business Proposals

Greenwood Village, CO, 6060 South Willow Drive, Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 4:00 AM

York Space Systems was founded to radically improve spacecraft affordability and reliability, transforming, and enabling next- generation space mission operations worldwide. Today, York is one of the most innovative aerospace companies, specializing in end-to-end customer solutions and the rapid production of spacecraft platforms. Yorkโ€™s complete Space Segment Solution includes spacecraft production, payload integration, system integration & test, launch services, ground segment services, and mission operations, enabling customers to leverage Yorkโ€™s existing technology solutions to get to orbit rapidly and responsively. Weโ€™re looking to expand our team across the board.

We are seeking a Systems Architect to lead technical design for new business capture and proposal efforts across our business portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of engineering and business development, translating customer mission needs into winning, technically credible architectures for pursuits with Commercial customers, the U.S. Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), the Intelligence Community (IC), NASA, and the Department of War (DoW).

The successful candidate will own end-to-end system architecture development during capture and proposal phases โ€” from concept formulation through technical volume authorship, cost/technical trade studies, and orals support. The Solutions Architect works closely with internal engineering disciplines and external suppliers and mission partners to ensure proposed solutions are compliant, differentiated, affordable, and executable.

This position reports directly to the Director of Systems Architecture and plays a key role in maturing our technical solutioning process across a growing new business pipeline.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead architecture design for spacecraft bus, payload, ground, and mission systems solutions in response to RFIs, draft RFPs, RFPs, BAAs, IDIQ, TOs/DOs, OTAs, and Sources Sought notices from USSF, USSF-SSC, IC, NASA, Commercial, and DoW customers.
  • Translate customer space mission requirements into system-level architectures, concept of operations (CONOPS), and functional/performance requirements.
  • Perform space-domain architecture trades including orbit selection, constellation sizing, power/thermal budgeting, launch vehicle integration constraints, and satellite cross-links.
  • Develop and present architecture trade studies (SWaP-C, reliability, maturity, schedule) to support concept refinement and pricing strategy. Identify and mitigate technical and execution risks.
  • Support make/buy decisions and teaming by assessing partner technical capabilities against architecture needs and co-developing systems and interfaces.
  • Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Payload, Bus, RF/Comms, Ground, and Mission Assurance teams to ensure technical solutions are feasible, cost-realistic, and schedule-compliant.
  • Author and edit technical volumes, architecture diagrams, and compliance matrices in coordination with Capture Managers, Proposal Managers, and Subject Matter Experts.
  • Interface directly with government customers, FFRDCs, and industry partners during capture activities, industry days, and technical interchange meetings.
  • Partner with Chief Engineer and Program Management organizations to ensure proposal architectures are executable and consistent with company technical baselines; ensure architectures align with relevant standards and frameworks.
  • Participate in black hats and color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) to refine and strengthen technical solution content.
  • Contribute to the maturation of reusable architecture frameworks, templates, and technical solution libraries to improve proposal efficiency across future pursuits.
  • Maintain awareness of competitive landscape and emerging technical requirements across USSF/SSC, IC, NASA, and DoW customer sets to inform architecture strategy on future pursuits.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of direct systems engineering/architecture experience in space mission hardware, satellite buses, payloads, or ground segment design.
  • 3+ years working product development and supporting proposal or capture efforts in a government contractor environment.
  • Proven track record architecting space mission solutions , including hands-on experience with mission CONOPS, trade studies, and payload integration.
  • Working knowledge of USSF/SSC acquisition processes, and familiarity with NASA and/or IC space system procurement environments.
  • Experience authoring or contributing to technical volumes for competitive proposals or technical documentation for executing programs.
  • Strong command of systems engineering tools and practices (including SysML/MBSE toolchains).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex architectures for both technical evaluators and executive audiences.
Benefits

In addition to compensation, York Space Systems is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance along with PTO and a 401K.

York Space Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Must have permanent authorization to work in the United States. This policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. YORK SPACE SYSTEMS IS AN EEO EMPLOYER.

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