Leads end-to-end development of spaceborne Ka-band AESA payloads, including architecture, electrical design, integration, qualification, flight readiness, and transition to production. Directs multidisciplinary engineering teams, manages payload schedules and technical risks, develops requirements and interface documentation, oversees environmental testing, and communicates technical decisions to leadership, customers, vendors, and partner organizations.
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Staff Electrical Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, test, and flight qualification of advanced spaceborne payloads.
This post focuses on the role of Payload Lead Engineer (aka Responsible Engineer) in our Phased Array product line, focusing on Ka-band Active Electronically Steered Arrays (AESAs). CesiumAstro AESAs are state-of-the-art electronics assemblies consisting of an antenna element array, RF electronics, digital array control, and power conversion – engineered into a single box using a modular but optimized approach.
The Payload Lead is responsible for the technical development of a new payload product consisting of a phased array (AESA) and a processing unit (RPU). This combines deep, multi-disciplinary technical accountability with responsibility for on-time schedule execution.
The Payload Lead is the leader of the multidisciplinary technical team, the primary point of contact for the program manager, and often a key interface point for our customers. Success in this role requires deep expertise in technical topics as well as project management, leadership, and communication in a fast-paced startup environment.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as the Payload Lead Engineer and primary technical point of contact for the payload throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Lead the end-to-end engineering effort for the payload, including architecture, design, prototyping, integration, test, environmental qualification, and flight readiness.
- Coordinate and direct Unit Leads developing AESA and RPU boxes for the payload, as well as engineers working directly on the combined payload.
- Hold schedule accountability for the payload development.
- Develop and review payload control schemes, internal data interfaces, command & telemetry architecture, and firmware/software integration as needed.
- Manage all flight qualification activities, including environmental test planning (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMC), margin assessment, and final acceptance testing.
- Own the transition to volume production, including manufacturability, testability, and customer-facing documentation.
- Generate and maintain payload-level documentation: requirements, ICDs, block diagrams, test plans, verification matrices, risk registers, and design reviews.
- Interface with spacecraft systems engineering, mission assurance, manufacturing, vendors, and test facilities.
- Drive root cause analysis, anomaly resolution, and technical risk mitigation throughout development and test campaigns.
- Communicate status, technical trades, risks, and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- 12+ years of engineering experience in electronics hardware development.
- Hands-on experience with related technologies such as active phased array antennas.
- Expertise in antennas and board-level RF electronics.
- Strong familiarity with power/digital support circuitry and design for manufacturability.
- Leadership experience, including mentoring or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering practices, requirements flowdown, verification/validation, and configuration management.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Proven experience executing or overseeing flight qualification and environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vib/shock, EMC, radiation considerations).
- Experience testing active antennas, including measuring EIRP and G/T.
- Experience managing hardware/software product development projects.
- Experience with radiation-tolerant design.
- Experience with high-rate manufacturing, rapid development cycles, and/or NewSpace ecosystems.
- Prior role as a Responsible Engineer, Technical Lead, IPT Lead, or Chief Engineer on flight hardware.
- Experience in high-frequency antenna design e.g. Ka band.
- Experience mentoring less-experienced project engineers and design engineers in associated discipline
- High energy and a “get it done” attitude
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
CesiumAstro Broomfield, Colorado, USA Office
105 Edgeview Drive, Broomfield, CO, United States, 80021
CesiumAstro Westminster, Colorado, USA Office
10355 Westmoor Dr., Suite 100, Westminster, United States, 80021
Similar Jobs
Fintech • Legal Tech • Software • Financial Services • Cybersecurity • Data Privacy
Develop scalable test automation frameworks, QA tools, and intelligent testing systems using Playwright, C#, and JavaScript/TypeScript. Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, build end-to-end, integration, and performance solutions, and apply AI techniques to improve test generation and defect detection. Partner with engineering and QA teams, troubleshoot reliability issues, contribute to test strategy, and mentor colleagues on automation and modern testing practices.
Top Skills:
.NetAgileAi/MlAngularAsp.NetAzureC#Ci/CdJavaScriptPlaywrightScrumSQLTypescript
.png)
Fintech • Information Technology • Payments • Productivity • Software • Travel • Automation
Own and grow airline partnerships across the Americas, especially South America. Lead commercial negotiations, renew agreements, manage incentives and forecasts, analyze deal economics, and identify revenue opportunities. Partner with Product, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Sales, Customer Success, and Marketing to improve airline content, pricing, and servicing. Maintain industry relationships, communicate airline updates, resolve performance issues, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
Top Skills:
Direct Airline ConnectionsGlobal Distribution Systems (Gds)Google SheetsExcelNew Distribution Capability (Ndc)
Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Develop and optimize full-funnel, multi-channel demand generation campaigns that generate pipeline, accelerate deals, and support cross-sell and upsell opportunities. Partner with product marketing, sales development, content, product, field, partner marketing, and analytics teams. Build lead-nurturing programs, align assets to buyer stages, monitor conversion and ROI metrics, and create dashboards to optimize campaign performance.
Top Skills:
AIGoogle SuiteMachine LearningMarketoSalesforceTableau
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute
