Payload Systems Engineer - Experienced or Lead

Posted Yesterday
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Seal Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
120K-198K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
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The Role
Serve as technical owner for assigned payload products, focusing on system integration, supplier technical management, interface control, and payload performance. Manage subcontracted development, project scope, schedules, cost estimates, EVM, anomaly resolution, technical trades, and present reviews to leadership. Support on-orbit systems and lead cross-functional efforts in a fast-paced, onsite environment.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) has an exciting opportunity for an Experienced or Lead Payload Systems Engineer to join our Experimental Systems Group (ESG) located in Seal Beach, CA.
ESG supports a variety of government customers spanning technology domains, and is an extremely fast-paced, responsive development environment delivering new capabilities to customers rapidly and affordably. The ESG portfolio consists of a range of platforms and technologies including the X-37B, the world's first fully autonomous reusable spaceplane, which is continuing to shape the future of space technology while flying its eighth mission.
As a part of the Systems Engineering Integration & Test (SEIT) team, you will serve as a core point of contact for customers and will work directly with subject matter experts across the business to quickly iterate and converge on achievable solutions that meet our customers' needs. Our development timelines are aggressive, and you will be asked to develop solutions quickly and with high quality.
In this role you will serve as the technical owner for your assigned product, with an emphasis on system integration, supplier technical management, and cross-organizational interface management. Your products will include both experimental and operational systems, cover a wide range of scale and complexity, and extend through all phases of the product's lifecycle (early feasibility studies through operation and disposal). You will work both as an individual contributor and team lead.
An ideal candidate has a strong technical background across all spacecraft subsystems with particular depth in interface design, external stakeholder management, and payload performance as well as a strong system background spanning both space and ground domains. You will need to be able to dive into broad, minimally-defined design spaces and effectively lead integrated efforts.
Position Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the technical project manager for subcontracted development and sustainment efforts
  • Manage technical project scope, planning, proposals, cost estimates, schedules, and drive execution
  • Identify, track, and update key subsystem technical performance metrics
  • Work closely with the Payload Integrated Product Team (IPT) to define capability roadmaps, value statements, and implementation plans
  • Coordinate with SMEs and external stakeholders to provide real time support for on orbit systems, including investigation and resolution of anomalies
  • Serve as the authority and decision maker for technical trades, design decisions, noncompliance disposition, and failure resolution within assigned products
  • Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership
  • Work proactively and independently in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement
  • Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required) that has been active in the past 24 months
  • 5 years of systems engineering, subsystems engineering, payload engineering, or payload science experience on space programs
  • 2 years of technical project management experience, including Earned Value Management
  • Proficiency in authoring Interface Control Documents (ICDs), specifications, and Statements of Work (SoWs)

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
  • (Level 4) 7 years of systems engineering, subsystems engineering, payload engineering, or payload science experience on space programs
  • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink
  • Proficiency developing control algorithms, models, and simulations
  • Familiarity with space environments, mission design, and astrodynamics
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
  • Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, or highly autonomous unmanned systems

Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Relocation: This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Experienced (Level 3) Summary Pay Range: $119,850 - $162,150
Lead (Level 4) Summary Pay Range: $146,200 - $ 197,800
Applications for this position will be accepted until Aug. 08, 2026
Relocation
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Security Clearance
This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
Visa Sponsorship
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Shift
This position is for 1st shift
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or equivalent
  • Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months (U.S. Citizenship Required)
  • 5 years of systems engineering, subsystems engineering, payload engineering, or payload science experience on space programs
  • 2 years of technical project management experience, including Earned Value Management
  • Proficiency in authoring Interface Control Documents (ICDs), specifications, and Statements of Work (SoWs)
  • 7 years of systems engineering, subsystems engineering, payload engineering, or payload science experience on space programs (Level 4)
  • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink
  • Proficiency developing control algorithms, models, and simulations
  • Familiarity with space environments, mission design, and astrodynamics
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
  • Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, or highly autonomous unmanned systems

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Boeing Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Retirement Support For most U.S. nonunion roles, the company matches 401(k) contributions with immediate vesting, and a student‑loan feature counts eligible payments toward earning the company match. Some union agreements also include robust retirement terms, combining a match up to a set percentage with an additional company contribution.
  • Parental & Family Support Paid parental leave is provided at full pay for birth, adoption, surrogacy, or foster placement, alongside adoption and surrogacy assistance. Family resources such as specialized health programs and backup child and elder care are available.
  • Healthcare Strength Coverage spans medical, dental, and vision plus mental‑health and specialty clinical programs (e.g., cancer support and centers of excellence), with many benefits beginning soon after hire. Virtual care, coaching, and access to licensed therapists are included.

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The Company
HQ: Arlington, VA
170,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1916

What We Do

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Why Work With Us

Aerospace protects and connects people, enables economic growth and trade, provides humanitarian relief and allows for human exploration of space. Boeing collaborates globally to support responsible growth for our industry, and we invest in innovation that improves the efficiency and sustainability of air travel and our operations.

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