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Payload Integration Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

This position is responsible for the end-to-end integration of warhead and payload - ensuring the flight systems architecture meets mission, safety, surety, performance requirement What You'll Do

Satellite Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

You will apply hands-on satellite hardware experience and radar payload system knowledge to assess performance, resolve issues, and ensure seamless integration across space and ground segments. You ...

Satellite Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

You will apply hands-on satellite hardware experience and radar payload system knowledge to assess performance, resolve issues, and ensure seamless integration across space and ground segments. You ...

You will apply hands‑on satellite hardware experience and radar payload system knowledge to assess performance, resolve issues, and ensure seamless integration across space and ground segments. You ...

Description The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development ...

Showing results 21-40

Payload Integration information

See Reston, VA salary details

$22.4K

$122.7K

$177.9K

How much do payload integration jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for payload integration in Reston, VA is $122,748.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $152,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 near Reston, VA are hiring for Payload Integration jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Payload Integration job openings:

Payload Accommodation Engineer III

Reston, VA

Blue Origin
Space Research Administration • 1 - 5K employees

$121K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 hours ago


Blue Origin rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 92 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

Payload Accommodation Engineer III

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on development, manufacturing, and operation of satellite systems to address one of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space mobility. As part of a hardworking team of talented engineers, you will be exposed to a hardware-rich prototyping environment that allows for rapid design/build iteration, work with a world-class team, and experience the entire lifecycle from formulation to flight in a short time.

This role works across the Payload Accommodation subsystem and supports integrated solutions to achieve our vision of "millions of people living and working in space." This individual will apply customer management skills and systems engineering practices across various technical subject areas. Additionally, this role requires understanding and supporting: requirements analysis and traceability; functional analysis; systems analysis; safety analysis; technical performance monitoring; development of specialty engineering strategic approaches (operability, reliability, maintainability, supportability); and system product lifecycle processes.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to increase accessibility to space. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

Relocation provided

Travel expected up to 15% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Serve as customer-facing point-of-contact and technical advocate for one or more payloads through the full payload lifecycle (execution of contract through payload integration and launch)
  • Support the development, allocation, and verification of requirements
  • Assist with the development of systems engineering processes and tools, ensure consistent implementation, and serve in a system integration capacity, working with multi-discipline teams to arrive at technical system solutions

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace engineering, Physics
  • 5+ years of proven experience in systems engineering principles and execution
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • Payload accommodation
    • Spacecraft design, development, integration, and testing
    • Launch vehicles
  • Experience with project or program management
  • Enjoys a highly dynamic and fast-paced environment
  • Possess skills in strategic system thinking, excellent written and oral communication skills, proactive in moving the program forward through team collaborations to achieve timely decisions, ability to earn trust, and maintain positive and professional relationships
  • Knowledge of current systems engineering and integration tools and methodologies
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications

  • M.S. degree in a relevant technical field
  • 8+ years of experience
  • Expertise in the following areas:
    • Payload accommodation
    • System development/integration
    • At least one of the areas of analysis, design, or integrated testing
    • Launch vehicles
    • Focused subject area in one of the following: fluids, thermal, propulsion, avionics, or electrical hardware and/or software, telemetry/communications, structures, ground operations, or flight/ground autonomy
  • Experience with the following:
    • Reliability, maintainability, and operability analysis and execution
    • System safety
    • Testing
  • Experience with verification of requirements using tools like DOORS Next Generation, system lifecycle configuration management tools, and other functional analysis toolsets
  • Knowledgeable about system design and analysis and relations to element design at the flight and ground levels as well as component specification development
  • Familiarity with the entire product lifecycle, including ground equipment and operations, manufacturing, and ISC considerations
  • Active or the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20 CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85 WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

Other site ranges may differ


Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.


Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.


Background Check

  • Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
  • Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
  • Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

  • Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
  • Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
  • Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
  • Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.


Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.



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About Blue Origin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturing and suborbital spaceflight services company based in Kent, Washington, USA. Established in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the company operates in the cutting-edge aerospace industry aiming to build a future where millions of people can live and work in space. They develop a variety of technologies, with a focus on reusable rocket systems which significantly reduce the cost of space travel. Blue Origin's core mission is to make this vision come to life by incrementally building on its successes with an ultimate vision of dramatic cost reduction and increased reliance on reusable spacecraft.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kent, WA, US

Year founded

2000