Vantor, Inc., a leader in AI-driven solutions, data analytics, and cloud services, is expanding into advanced Aerospace & Defense systems and is seeking a Sr. Payload Systems Engineer to drive the design and integration of mission-critical payloads. As a senior technical leader within our Engineering & Architecture organization, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of complex aerospace payload systems, from concept development and requirements definition through design, integration, verification, validation, and on-orbit or in-field support. In this role, you will architect advanced payload solutions for aerospace and defense platforms, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), RF, communications, and sensor payloads. You will translate mission objectives into clear system and subsystem requirements, develop system architectures and interface definitions, and perform trade studies to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams—spanning mechanical, electrical, software, AI/ML, and data engineering—you will ensure that all payload elements are fully integrated, testable, and aligned with customer and regulatory requirements. You will lead payload systems engineering activities such as requirements decomposition and allocation, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), system performance modeling and simulation, and failure modes and effects analysis. You will define test strategies and verification plans, oversee environmental, functional, and performance testing, and support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis during integration and flight or field test campaigns. Leveraging Vantor’s strengths in AI and data analytics, you will help integrate machine learning, advanced signal processing, and onboard autonomy into payload architectures to improve mission performance and adaptability. As a senior engineer, you will mentor junior team members, provide technical guidance on best practices in systems engineering, and contribute to proposal development, technical roadmaps, and customer presentations. You will collaborate with business development and program management to shape payload concepts for new opportunities, articulate technical approaches and risks, and ensure alignment between engineering execution and customer expectations. You will also play a key role in ensuring compliance with aerospace and defense standards, export control requirements, and security constraints. Vantor’s culture emphasizes innovation, diversity, continuous learning, and employee empowerment. In this environment, you will have the opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge tools and methods—such as digital twins, MBSE frameworks, and AI-driven design optimization—to accelerate payload development and improve reliability. You will be encouraged to champion new ideas, establish engineering best practices, and drive continuous improvement across the payload systems engineering discipline. The ideal candidate has deep experience in aerospace payload or sensor systems, a strong systems engineering background, and familiarity with defense or space program lifecycles. You should be comfortable leading technical efforts, interfacing directly with customers and partners, and making informed trade-offs under schedule and budget constraints. Experience with AI-enabled payload concepts, on-board processing, or mission data exploitation is highly desirable, as it aligns directly with Vantor’s core capabilities in AI and analytics. This position is anticipated to operate in a hybrid work environment, with a combination of remote work and on-site presence for hardware integration, testing, lab activities, classified work, and customer or team collaboration. You will be expected to work closely with cross-functional engineering teams, engage in design reviews, and participate in on-site integration and test events as required to ensure mission success.