Payload Systems Engineer

About the role

You will own the end-to-end definition, implementation, and validation of satellite payloads for Tomorrow.io's weather observation constellation. This role translates mission objectives into precise technical requirements and verifies that payloads meet stringent performance and reliability targets. You will act as the primary systems integrator between hardware, software, and science teams to ensure coherent execution across the payload lifecycle. You will establish requirements, interfaces, and verification artifacts that become the foundation for flight hardware. You will manage system-level trade studies and risk mitigation activities from concept through on-orbit operations. You will coordinate with external partners and internal stakeholders to align payload capabilities with evolving mission needs. You will contribute directly to the development and qualification of flight hardware that enables global weather resilience.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Contribute to the development of satellite payload systems for constellation programs from concept definition through on-orbit operations.
• Support requirements definition, interface coordination, integration planning, test execution, and technical documentation across the full payload lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external engineering teams, partners, and scientific stakeholders to align payload design with mission objectives.
• Help deliver reliable, mission-ready systems that meet operational objectives and performance specifications under real-world conditions.
• Bridge hands-on engineering discipline with system-level thinking and mission execution to resolve complex cross-domain challenges.
• Support architecture definition and technical design across the payload lifecycle from concept through launch and operations.
• Conduct system-level trade studies and performance modeling to evaluate options and guide design decisions.
• Establish and maintain requirements, interfaces, and verification documentation to ensure traceability and clarity.
• Identify technical risks and support mitigation planning to protect schedule, performance, and mission success.
• Collaborate with program leadership to track technical performance, support integration test planning, and strengthen engineering quality and systems rigor.

Requirements

• Bring 4-7+ years of experience developing, integrating, and testing complex engineered systems, specifically satellite payloads or similar hardware.
• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, payload integration, and performance modeling relevant to observation constellations.
• Show proven experience in system-level architecture, requirements management, interface control, and verification planning activities.
• Exhibit familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or similar structured systems engineering approaches and tools.
• Have experience performing system-level trade studies and identifying as well as mitigating technical risks at the system level.
• Collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific domains, both internally within Tomorrow.io and externally with partners and customers.
• Communicate technical topics clearly to diverse audiences through concise documentation and compelling presentations.
• Make sound engineering judgments while operating effectively in dynamic, fast-moving development environments with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrate integrity, transparency, and accountability in professional conduct and decision-making.
• Maintain a system-level mindset that balances detailed technical execution with overall mission objectives and success criteria.

Nice to have

• Experience with regulatory and compliance considerations related to U.S. export control laws and related technology restrictions.
• Familiarity with Earth observation payloads, spectral imaging, or remote sensing instrumentation relevant to weather and climate applications.
• Prior exposure to constrained launch schedules and rapid iteration development cycles in commercial space programs.

Practical notes

• This role is restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and protected individuals unless and until any required licenses are obtained due to technology controlled under U.S. export control laws and regulations.
• Tomorrow.io is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
• The anticipated salary range for this role is $140-160k subject to local market and candidates skills and experience. Comprehensive health benefits, unlimited paid time off and other benefits included. Relocation assistance may be offered/available for certain roles.
• Tomorrow.io provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in the recruiting process; please contact jobs@tomorrow.io for assistance.