Payload Systems Verification And Validation Engineer

Job Title: Payload Systems Verification and Validation EngineerJob DescriptionThe Payload Systems Verification and Validation Engineer plays a critical role throughout the Assembly, Integration, and Test lifecycle, ensuring that payload systems meet all functional and performance requirements. You will own the end-to-end verification and validation strategy, from requirements decomposition through test execution and system-level validation at both the component and integrated spacecraft levels. This position emphasizes hands-on involvement in verification by test, traceability, and system-level validation activities to ensure mission readiness through rigorous V&V processes.ResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain comprehensive verification and validation plans, including verification matrices, traceability, and validation strategies aligned with system requirements.Lead and execute verification and validation activities for payload systems at the equipment, subsystem, and spacecraft levels.Author detailed test procedures, test scripts, and test campaigns covering functional, environmental, and system-level testing.Perform requirements verification by test, analysis, inspection, and demonstration, ensuring full traceability to system requirements.Plan, support, and execute environmental and system-level test campaigns, including TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.Support and execute Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) verification during integration and test phases.Collaborate closely with payload hardware, flight software, and systems engineering teams to ensure implementations are verifiable, testable, and aligned with requirements.Participate in key program reviews, including test readiness reviews (TRR), system integration reviews (SIR), and verification closure reviews (VCR).Drive anomaly investigations during test campaigns, including root cause analysis and validation of corrective actions.Support spacecraft or constellation integration activities and contribute to on-orbit validation and commissioning as needed.Apply platform-level V&V methods for satellite systems and coordinate with flight software teams to ensure integrated verification coverage.Utilize requirement management tools to maintain accurate, up-to-date traceability and verification status across the payload lifecycle.Essential SkillsProven experience in verification and validation (V&V) of complex systems, preferably in the space or satellite domain.Hands-on experience with requirements verification by test, analysis, inspection, and demonstration.Experience with Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) or Fault Detection and Recovery in integration and test environments.Background in Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) for spacecraft, payloads, or satellite platforms.Experience conducting environmental and system-level test campaigns such as thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.Proficiency in working with flight software and understanding its role in payload and platform V&V.Experience with spacecraft or constellation integration and on-orbit validation or commissioning activities.Proficiency in automated testing methods, tools, and frameworks.Knowledge of requirements management tools such as DOORS, Windchill, or JAMA, including maintaining traceability and verification status.Ability to lead test campaigns, author detailed test procedures, and execute tests at equipment, subsystem, and spacecraft levels.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to support anomaly investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action validation.Effective cross-functional collaboration skills to work with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience with space or constellation operations, including operational constraints and on-orbit behavior.Familiarity with platform-level V&V for satellites and payloads.Experience participating in formal reviews such as TRR, SIR, and VCR.Ability to develop and maintain comprehensive V&V plans, verification matrices, and validation strategies.Strong written communication skills for authoring clear test procedures, test scripts, and documentation.Comfort working in an international, distributed engineering environment and collaborating across time zones.Willingness and ability to travel internationally as part of integration, test, and validation activities.Work EnvironmentThis is a remote role that offers the opportunity to support a one-of-a-kind commercial space program while working from your home location. The position involves close collaboration with global teams and requires approximately one week of international travel per month during the summer months of June through September, including trips to locations such as France, Italy, Canada, and other international sites. You will work extensively with requirements management tools like DOORS, Windchill, and JAMA, as well as automated testing tools and test equipment used for environmental and system-level campaigns such as TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC. The work environment is dynamic and mission-focused, with a strong emphasis on rigorous verification and validation practices, cross-functional teamwork, and supporting spacecraft and constellation operations through integration, test, and on-orbit validation.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.Pay And BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $55.00 - $90.00/hr.RequirementsEligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully remote position.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 2026.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.