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Payload Integration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Blue Origin

Senior Payload Systems Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$144K - $201K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Payload Integration or Systems Engineer to manage the integration of optical terminals on spacecraft. This individual will apply customer management skills and systems ...

SCEYE INC

Lead Payload Systems Engineer

Moriarty, NM · On-site

Lead the technical integration of all payloads (e.g., EO, telecom, hyperspectral, LiDAR, radar, or custom sensor systems) into the flight platform. * Define and maintain the payload-to-platform ...

Blue Origin

Senior Payload Systems Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$144K - $201K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Payload Integration or Systems Engineer to manage the integration of optical terminals on spacecraft. This individual will apply customer management skills and systems ...

Blue Origin

Senior Payload Systems Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$144K - $201K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Payload Integration or Systems Engineer to manage the integration of optical terminals on spacecraft. This individual will apply customer management skills and systems ...

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How much do payload integration jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for payload integration in the United States is $117,986.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,000.00 and $146,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some 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 are Payload Integration jobs?

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

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 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.

More about Payload Integration jobs
What cities are hiring for Payload Integration jobs? Cities with the most Payload Integration job openings:
What states have the most Payload Integration jobs? States with the most job openings for Payload Integration jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Payload Integration jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Payload Integration jobs are:
Payload Integration jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payload Integration job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,986 per year, or $56.7 per hour.

Payload Integration Engineer II

Firefly Aerospace

Cedar Park, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Firefly Aerospace rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 59 rated aerospace companies

Job description

ABOUT
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space - anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
SUMMARY
Firefly is seeking an experienced engineer to manage payload integration for our spacecraft (lunar lander and/or orbital vehicle) program. This person ideally has systems, integration, test, and launch experience, specific to aerospace hardware. The successful candidate will leverage their advanced communication and relationship skills to interface with all engineering disciplines at Firefly involved in the development of spacecraft as well as with outside organizations like the FAA, USAF, NASA, NOAA, and a variety of commercial customers.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Act as the primary engineering and programmatic interface between the Firefly engineering teams and NASA and other payload customers.
  • Manage the development and coordination of the key mission performance and interface requirements.
  • Build and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICD) for interfaces between the customer payload and spacecraft.
  • Manage technical issues related to form, fit, and function of the payload(s), loads, dynamic environments, thermal, EMI/EMC, radiation, contamination, mass properties, mechanical interface, electrical interface, data interfaces, software APIs, and operations.
  • Coordinate hardware and software related activities including fit checks, spacecraft integration, spacecraft acceptance testing, launch, and operations planning and execution for the full duration mission.
  • Lead technical interchange meetings and design reviews with NASA and other customers. Some travel (<10%) may be required.
  • Work closely with each engineering discipline within Firefly to help generate and evaluate acceptable analysis factors of safety and test plans that meet both Range requirements and Mission Assurance requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field
  • Experience integrating payloads or spacecraft
  • 3+ years' experience in the aerospace industry
  • Experience working as the primary interface with an external aerospace customer or internal product team
  • Basic working knowledge of aerospace qualification and acceptance testing defined by GEVS.
  • Basic working knowledge of AFSPCMAN 91-710, MIL-STD-882, RCC-319-14 and NASA Standards 8719.13.
  • Excellent communications skills (written and oral). Able to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings to peers, management, and external customers.

Desired
  • Experience integrating payloads onto spacecraft or spacecraft to launch vehicles
  • Experience with deployment mechanisms or with robotics and actuators for spacecraft
  • Experience working with vendors
  • Experience in writing proposals and in business development
  • Experience with risk management and change control

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, and flexible PTO options.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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