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Payload Integration Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Chief Engineer

Fort Walton Beach, FL ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Define system architecture and technical requirements for next-generation platforms including aerodynamic design, propulsion, guidance, and payload integration * Oversee integration with aircraft ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Florida are hiring for Payload Integration jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Payload Integration job openings:

Infographic showing various Payload Integration job openings in Florida as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Specialist, Integration & Test (Secret Clearance)

Palm Bay, FL โ€ข On-site

L3Harris Technologies
Aviationย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead, plan, and execute test operations across space vehicle programs, ensuring integration, verification, and validation of complex space systems.

  • Oversee and coordinate test activities, including scheduling, resource management, and communication among teams and leadership.

  • Manage space vehicle testing, testbed environments, and test procedures to ensure adherence to requirements and timely issue resolution.


Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Integration & Test Engineer (Active DoD Secret)

Job Code: 42947

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off)

Job Description:

This role is part of the L3Harris (LHX) Space Systems Sector within the Space and Mission Systems (SMS) Segment. SMS is the largest and the fastest growing segment within LHX and well postured for continued growth and success in the domain.

This position serves as an Integration and Test Engineer responsible for leading, planning, and executing test operations across a portfolio of space vehicle programs. The role provides operations leadership, technical oversight, and strategic coordination to ensure successful integration, verification, and validation of complex space systems. This position partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, and program management to deliver highquality mission hardware on schedule.

Essential Functions:

  • Oversee and coordinate test operations across multiple programs, ensuring alignment with program objectives and established enterprise test processes.
  • Lead Enterprise Environmental Test Laboratory (ETL) scheduling, deconfliction, and resource management across vibration, thermal, and TVAC activities, while maintaining and improving standardized scheduling tools and enterprise test procedures.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for test operations, ensuring consistent communication among Program Management, Operations Program Management, engineering teams, and leadership.
  • Plan, schedule, and manage major test events-including readiness reviews, facility coordination, staffing plans, and cross-functional integration-while training and supporting Test Conductors to ensure workforce readiness.
  • Execute and oversee space vehicle testing for mass properties, CG, vibration, and environmental campaigns, ensuring adherence to procedures, qualification/acceptance requirements, and timely issue resolution.
  • Manage Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) operations and testbed environments, including material procurement, lab readiness, configuration management of test assets, and support of multiple test facilities.
  • Develop and maintain space vehicle test procedures and AI&T planning documentation, incorporating lessons learned, ensuring procedural completeness, and supporting technical reviews.
  • Monitor test progress, risks, and issues across programs; analyze test results; and coordinate corrective actions with engineering to maintain quality, compliance, and traceability.
  • Provide regular status updates, metrics, and assessments to leadership, highlighting progress, risks, challenges, and mitigation strategies.
  • Track program performance, risks, resources, and milestones related to integration and test operations, ensuring timely communication and mitigation planning.
  • Support business pursuits and proposals, including contributing to technical proposal reviews and Basis of Estimate (BOE) development as required.
  • Support onsite operations at test facilities and partner sites as required. Travel may be required up to 10-20%.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience.
  • Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience.
  • In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
  • Active DoD Secret Clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Familiarity with Earned Value Management processes and variance reporting.
  • Experience leading integration and test activities for space payloads, spacecraft buses, or other complex aerospace systems.
  • Background in developing or executing verification and validation plans for hardware involving environmental testing, functional testing, or spacequalification processes.
  • Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems commonly used in space hardware and how they interact during integration.
  • Familiarity with enterpriselevel test operations, including multiprogram coordination, shared test infrastructure, and crossprogram process alignment.
  • Ability to interpret systemlevel requirements and translate them into actionable integration and test strategies.
  • Experience establishing and managing test facilities, ground support equipment, or specialized test assets used for space payload or vehicle integration.
  • Strong capability in rootcause analysis and leading resolution of issues discovered during integration or test execution.
  • Familiarity with automation and scripting languages (e.g. LabVIEW, Python, Perl, Ruby, PuTTy, MobaXTerm, Visual Studio code).
  • Experience with RF measurements and testing, tools, and test equipment (Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Logic Analyzers, Signal Generators, O-Scopes, and RF Test Equipment).

#LI-LS4

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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Employment Type: Full-Time