Vitesse Systems is a leading provider of highly engineered antenna, thermal management and mission critical solutions used in radar, electronic warfare and C5ISR applications. No challenge is too difficult for the Vitesse Team. From complex specification driven requirements to precision manufactured components, Vitesse Systems has the experience and expertise needed to execute.
Our Core Values
Our core values of Integrity, Initiative, Impact, and Integration translate to an environment where every team member is valued and rewarded. The mission-critical solutions we design and manufacture at Vitesse make our country and our world safer.
Our Benefits
3 Weeks of Paid Time Off
10 Paid Company Observed Holidays
Birthday & Anniversary Incentives
401K Employer Match
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Company-paid Life Insurance
Company-paid Short & Long-term Disability
Continuing Education Reimbursement Program
Generous Referral Program
The Role
The Payload Systems Engineer is responsible for designing advanced payloads for satellite systems across all orbits.
Key Responsibilities
Design advanced communication payloads for satellite systems across all orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO)
Contribute to the design, analysis, integration, and validation of satellite systems for next‑generation missions
Apply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
Work across payload design, system performance analysis, assembly, integration and testing, and mission operations
Support design trades involving payload capacity, system mass, power optimization, spectral resources, and overall mission-level performance
Work closely with software, mechanical, thermal, and electrical engineering to optimize the satellite resources
Analyze mission requirements and translate them into technical specifications, system-level requirements, and engineering constraints
Optimize the performance of satellite systems by maximizing payload efficiency, minimizing satellite mass and volume, and improving power use and duty cycles
Build and execute simulations and models to evaluate payload performance under various operating and environmental conditions
Support Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) activities including test plans, procedures, troubleshooting, performance validation, and verification strategies to validate systems and payload performance
Support major reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR)
Engage directly with hardware suppliers and evaluate hardware for payload architecture
Support hardware procurement
Participate in meetings and design reviews
Responsible for overall communication subsystem
Develop and maintain analysis tools across the program execution
Develop payload block diagrams
Requirements flow down
Compute Link Budget Analysis
Translate mission and system requirements into subsystem and unit-level technical requirements, interfaces, and verification criteria
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or related degree
MSEE in related field desired, but not required
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role
RF Communications Engineering/Payload Systems background
Payload Experience – ideally communication payloads
Payload Analysis and Budgets: EIRP, G/T, Conversion factors, Signal level budgets, group delay, frequency response and more
Knowledgeable with payload thermal and power aspects
Active and passive communication payload hardware knowledge: HPA, LNA, Receivers, MRO, MLO, Converters, Filters, antenna subsystem(reflector based and DRAs)
Familiar with digital payloads, (digital channelizer with or without beamforming)
Strong understanding of satellite subsystems, particularly RF payloads, and spacecraft platforms
Hands‑on experience in system modelling, simulation, and performance assessment
Experience with requirements development, ConOps definition, and system-level design processes
Solid analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex system interactions
Experience in working in satellite manufacturing environment preferred
Experienced in digital payloads, (digital channelizer with or without beamforming), and/or regenerative payloads preferred
Experience with Phased/Active Arrays and Optical communication preferred
Familiarity with digital payloads, phased arrays, and advanced communication system architectures preferred
Experience with environmental testing, satellite integration, or in‑orbit payload testing preferred
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK or other scripting languages for simulation, analysis, and tool development preferred
Must provide proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency to comply with ITAR requirements
Ability to pass a drug screen per Vitesse’s drug testing policy
Ability to pass a criminal background check per Vitesse’s policy
Vitesse Systems, LLC performs work controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These statutes require the protection of technical data and products. The regulations require that such data not be disclosed in written, oral, or visual form to any foreign national without prior export authorization from the Department of State. A foreign national is defined by the U.S. Government under EAR 734.2(b)(2)(ii) and 8 USC 110 (a)(20) as one who:
Is not a United States citizen
Is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.
Does not have politically protected status (embassy, refugee, or asylum)
Vitesse Systems, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Veterans / Disabled Employer.
