Payload Lead

Who We Are

EOI Space specializes in developing and deploying a network of satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) to provide ultra-high-resolution Earth imagery. We aim to deliver timely and actionable data for commercial and defense applications.

In this role, you will hold broad responsibility to drive design; ground-based integration, alignment and testing; and subsequent design iterations/improvements over time for a complex, ~50 cm aperture electro optical payload. This includes direct management of engineers within the payload as well as extensive cross-functional collaboration with other engineering departments to ensure overall functional, structural, design, interface, and performance requirements of the payload are addressed.

While this is a lead role, and part of this role is people management, as in any small organization, the majority of your time is expected to be spent on tasks related to the design, build, and test of the payload.

This role will manage both internal engineering and sub-contractor teams associated with payload specific subsystems and structures. The ideal candidate will have program management experience in addition to strong technical fundamentals and demonstrated experience executing across the full breadth of areas needed to drive a subsystem to completion (technical, program management, SOW development and management, supplier engagement, etc.).

• Lead the overall development of the payload, ultimately delivering a system (internally) that meets performance, cost, and schedule objectives
• Lead design trade studies to balance production feasibility/ease/costs with top-level image quality; own the top-level image quality budget
• Define requirements and traverse trade studies throughout the various phases of development and integration
• Define and drive on-ground payload assembly, integration, test, and calibration at all phases of development; define and lead on-orbit payload calibration
• Develop and manage EOI’s payload team; effectively collaborate with and manage subcontractors
• Collaborate with other subsystem leads on the development of the spacecraft overall
• Simulate payload performance to aid in payload development
• Collaborate with software engineers in the development and implementation of the overall image processing pipeline
• Work with company leadership in defining and implementing roadmaps for future capabilities

• Bachelor’s of Science degree or higher in Physics, Engineering, Remote Sensing or equivalent, with each higher-level degree counting as an additional 2 years of experience
• A minimum 12 years of progressively responsible experience in the engineering field, including hands‑on experience through all phases of payload development
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role, to include managing technical teams and acting as primary customer interface, activity planning and development, staffing, cost and schedule budgeting and management, cross-functional collaboration and support to enterprise test activities
• Ability to communicate highly complex technical concepts and ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience with requirements analysis, decomposition, and allocation
• Spacecraft operations experience, particularly the LEOP phase and payload commissioning
• Experience with in a startup environment if preferred

The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $260,000 per year, depending on previous experience. Pay ranges are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job‑related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

This onsite role is located in Lafayette, CO.