1

Payload Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT THE JOB You will own payload integration within Mission Systems for a maritime autonomous vehicle, owning integration of Anduril and third-party payloads from concept through deployment.

Payload Lead

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB You will own payload integration within Mission Systems for a maritime autonomous vehicle, owning integration of Anduril and third-party payloads from concept through deployment.

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' unmanned surface vehicles ...

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' unmanned surface vehicles ...

Payload Integration Engineer Location: San Diego, CA (in-office) Salary: $95,000 - $130,000 / yr + stock options, 401k matching, and other benefits Role Overview: Seasats' unmanned surface vehicles ...

As a Solutions Consultant supporting Payload accounts, you'll partner with Sales and cross-functional teams to craft and deliver consultative strategies that showcase Payload's value within Figma.

Collaborates with the payload's integration and test engineers, test team responsible engineers, payloads program leadership, and payload customers to define and implement vehicle payloads ...

Senior Payload Design Engineer Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) is seeking a Senior Payload Design Engineer (Level 4) to support our Out-of-Production (OoP) Payloads ...

Collaborates with the payload's integration and test engineers, test team responsible engineers, payloads program leadership, and payload customers to define and implement vehicle payloads ...

Senior Payload Design Engineer Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) is seeking a Senior Payload Design Engineer (Level 4) to support our Out-of-Production (OoP) Payloads ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Payload information

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

To thrive as a Payload Specialist, you typically need a background in engineering, physics, or a related science field, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with aerospace systems. Familiarity with mission planning software, payload integration tools, and systems such as MATLAB or LabVIEW is common, along with certifications like ITAR compliance when required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for managing complex payload operations. These abilities ensure safe, reliable, and mission-optimized payload deployment in high-stakes aerospace environments.

What does a payload operator do?

A payload operator is responsible for handling and managing payloads in aerospace, military, or industrial settings, ensuring proper installation, operation, and safety. They often work with specialized equipment, follow strict safety protocols, and may require certifications or training related to handling hazardous materials or complex machinery.

How can I make 2000 a week working from home?

A payload specialist or similar remote logistics roles can potentially earn $2000 weekly by working full-time, often requiring specialized skills, certifications, or experience in handling sensitive or technical cargo. Achieving this income may involve working multiple shifts, leveraging high-demand skills, or working for companies that pay competitive rates for remote logistics or freight handling positions.

What are payload specialists?

Payload specialists are experts selected to manage and operate specific scientific or technical equipment on space missions, often aboard spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle or International Space Station. They are typically responsible for the preparation, execution, and monitoring of experiments or cargo during a mission. Payload specialists can come from scientific, engineering, or industry backgrounds and are chosen for their expertise related to the mission's payload. Their role is distinct from that of career astronauts, as they focus primarily on the payload rather than the overall operation of the spacecraft.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In the payload or related high-demand fields, roles such as commercial pilots, certain sales managers, and experienced entrepreneurs can earn $200,000 or more annually without a college degree. These positions often require specialized skills, certifications, or extensive experience rather than formal education.

What are some common challenges faced by Payload Specialists when working on multidisciplinary teams in aerospace projects?

Payload Specialists often collaborate with engineers, scientists, and project managers, which requires clear communication and adaptability to different technical perspectives. A common challenge is ensuring that payload requirements are integrated smoothly with other subsystems, often under tight deadlines and shifting project priorities. Successful Payload Specialists proactively coordinate with other teams, anticipate integration issues, and remain flexible to accommodate late-stage design changes. This environment fosters strong problem-solving skills and can provide excellent opportunities for professional growth within multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

What is the difference between Payload vs Data Analyst?

AspectPayloadData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically no specific certifications, but knowledge of logistics and transportationBachelor's degree in statistics, data science, or related field
Work EnvironmentLogistics, transportation, or delivery settingsOffice-based, data analysis, reporting, and visualization tasks
Employer & Industry UsageLogistics companies, courier services, transportation firmsCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared in logistics contextsCompared in data management and analysis contexts

While Payload refers to the cargo or goods transported, Data Analyst focuses on interpreting data to inform business decisions. Both roles are essential in their industries but serve different functions—one in logistics and transportation, the other in data-driven insights.

What is a payload in work?

In a job context, a payload typically refers to the main task or deliverable that a worker is responsible for completing. It can also describe the data or items carried or processed during a project, especially in fields like logistics, software development, or engineering. Understanding the specific responsibilities related to payloads depends on the industry and role requirements.
What are the most commonly searched types of Payload jobs in California? The most popular types of Payload jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Payload jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Payload jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Payload job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Payload Lead

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,403 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Anduril's Maritime Division is responsible for planning and executing Anduril's product and revenue roadmap for maritime missions. Working across product, engineering, business development, logistics, and operations, the Maritime team develops, tests, deploys, and sustains the Anduril maritime capabilities in a challenging operational environment worldwide. As a leader in the Maritime Division, you must be a technical leader with the expertise to evaluate, qualify, manage, and advocate for an increasing number of sophisticated parallel pursuits. This role is crucial in ensuring that each initiative aligns with the company's strategic direction and receives the appropriate resourcing, balancing innovation with practical execution to drive the business line's success.

ABOUT THE JOB

You will own payload integration within Mission Systems for a maritime autonomous vehicle, owning integration of Anduril and third-party payloads from concept through deployment. Reporting to the Mission Systems Lead, you will own payload interfaces, interoperability, mission development, and reference mission kits. You will ensure payloads meet customer mission requirements and integrate with the vehicle platform and autonomy stack.
Your spectrum of support will be diverse in nature and require you to leverage your technical expertise as well as leadership skills to set objectives, build cross-functional teams, and rapidly drive to completion. The ability to leverage your intuition and prior experience will be key in making sure the right design, analysis, and test steps are completed to ensure success. The ideal candidate will leverage their experience executing and successfully completing prior highly optimized multi-disciplinary projects.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Own payload architecture: mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces for all mission payloads
  • Drive integration of Anduril payloads and government-furnished equipment onto the platform
  • Drive interoperability standards for payload modularity across vehicle configurations
  • Develop reference mission kits that package payloads with autonomy behaviors for specific mission sets
  • Define payload interface requirements and work with Vehicle Systems on accommodation
  • Manage payload integration schedule and cost across prototype and production phases
  • Coordinate with third-party vendors on payload qualification and integration
  • Provide technical mentorship to engineers across payload disciplines
  • Support testing and field deployment of payload systems
  • Represent the payload subsystem in technical and customer meetings
  • Interface with Mission Systems Lead and autonomy team on mission system integration
  • Travel up to 25% to test sites, vendor facilities, and customer locations
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience in payload integration, weapons systems, or mission systems
  • Experience delivering payload integration in defense or aerospace environments
  • Demonstrated experience with sensor integration, weapons systems, or C4ISR payloads
  • Experience with the full product delivery lifecycle: design, test, manufacturing, deployment
  • Deep understanding of military mission sets and payload capabilities
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with maritime or undersea payload systems
  • Working knowledge of payload certification and weapons safety (MIL-STD-882E)
  • Experience with autonomous systems payload integration
  • Familiarity with modular open systems architecture (MOSA)
  • Prior Navy or defense operational experience

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media