JOBSEARCHER

Lead Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer

FibertekHerndon, VAJune 2nd, 2026
Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and other aerospace customers. We are looking for an experienced Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer to join our R&D team in Herndon, Virginia.As the Lead Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer, you will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in the development, assembly, and test of spaceflight or airborne hardware systems. This requires a working knowledge of development processes, performance and environmental testing, and systems integration. You will identify and lead the mitigation of program technical risks and manage the definition and documentation of program interfaces. You will develop rigorous systems engineering processes from the ground up. Strong leadership and communication skills are required to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team from project formulation through final flight hardware delivery.Duties and Responsibilities:Work in cross-functional teams with program managers, scientists, and engineers to develop new technologies and laser systems for military and space applicationsSystem level oversight of product development including review and approval of system and subsystem requirements, decomposition of requirements and allocation to system, subsystem, and component levelsReduce customer specifications and technical governing documents into design and test requirements, track compliance and verification through design, assembly, integration, and test completionManage requirements baselines including traceability between system, subsystem, and component specifications through a formal requirements management processLead development of internal and external interfaces through a formal interface management processPerform technology assessments and trade studiesConduct risk assessments and analysesLead investigations and develop solutions to technical problemsLead the development of test processes, test equipment designs, test configurations, and systems integrationDesign and support the execution of system and subsystem verification testingSupport bid and proposal efforts and assist in the development of new businessJob RequirementsExperience and Expertise Required:A bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or optics, with a master's degree preferredA minimum of 10 years of relevant experience with a preference for prior experience developing systems for military or space applicationsExperience in Systems Engineering with an emphasis on requirements development, test planning, test documentation, and systems integration, verification, and validationExperience developing and managing system and subsystem requirements flowdownDemonstrated ability to lead the implementation of systems engineering best practices and tools from the ground upExperience with systems engineering and requirements management software tools including model-based systems engineering (MBSE)Ability to effectively communicate technical results and report problems through written and/or graphical formatsExperience with space-based and/or electro-optical hardware is a plusU.S. citizenship is requiredHold or can acquire a Secret or Top-Secret Clearance preferredFIBERTEK, Inc. is a recognized leader in advanced lasers, lidars and laser communication systems providing our DoD, NASA and aerospace customers discriminating capabilities. We pride ourselves in our innovation and customer success focused culture enabled by a creative and relaxed work environment. Fibertek fosters a progressive learning environment that values inspiration, promotes professional challenge and encourages personal growth. We offer a competitive and incentivized compensation package with excellent benefits.Fibertek, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual merit, skills, and experience. Fibertek does not engage in nor permits any discrimination in the workplace.