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Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced, or Lead)

The Boeing Company

El Segundo, CAFull-time$99–198K/yrPosted 2w agoStill listed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$99–198K/yr
Location
El Segundo, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance

Job overview

Boeing’s Space and Launch Division is seeking a Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer for its Payload Systems Engineering team in El Segundo, California. The role supports development of satellite communications systems across the program life cycle, from concept studies and system definition through satellite development, launch, and on-orbit operations and testing. The position is expected to be 100% onsite and is open to associate, experienced, and lead-level engineers.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Communications SubsystemsDigital Payload DesignDigital CommunicationsSatellite PayloadsSatellite Communications SystemsAntenna TheoryMATLAB/SimulinkC++

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering or RelatedActive U.S. Secret ClearanceU.S. CitizenshipU.S. Person5+ Years Related Experience9+ Years Related Experience

Benefits

Medical Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced, or Lead)

Company: The Boeing Company

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), Space and Launch Division, seeks a Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced, or Lead) (Level 2, 3, or 4) to join the Payload Systems Engineering team in El Segundo, California.

The Space Intelligence & Weapon Systems Team creates the next-generation products and services for the BDS business unit. We work with commercial, government, and proprietary customers in the development of the next-generation technologies in space. Our team focuses on rapid prototyping to demonstrate a host of mission-focused technologies for a variety of customers. Our group works all facets of engineering from technology investment, concept development, proposal writing, requirement development, design, build, integration, test, and demonstration of products in their relevant environments.

The Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer will be a part of a high-performing team that is immersed in high intensity development projects. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and deliver state-of-the-art communication systems for space-based applications for commercial, civil and/or national security programs. This position will work with a highly motivated team that works with domestic or international customers on their latest satellite systems. This role’s assignments typically span the complete program life cycle, from internal trades, concept studies and system definition, to satellite development, launch, and on-orbit operations and test.

Our team is currently hiring for a broad range of experience levels including associate, experienced and lead level engineers.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Design and develop next generation RF (Radio Frequency), digital, and/or optical satellite communications systems and payload architectures

  • Support trade studies and generate proposals

  • Define and verify space communication unit, subsystem and system requirements and interfaces

  • Perform system-level CONOPS development, functional analysis, RF and Optical performance analysis and decomposition

  • Support system-level integration and validation

  • Perform analyses and simulations for space communication systems, including: link analysis, signal distortion, system capacity, reliability, and performance

  • Develop analysis tools using MATLAB and object-oriented software platforms

  • Develop and verify system algorithms that meet functional and performance requirements

  • Oversees the design and build of multiple satellite and avionics units from internal teams and external suppliers that meet defined requirements and interfaces

  • Ensures satellite units follow proper test, validation and qualification processes for space applications

  • Perform hardware procurement, design reviews, and unit sell-off

  • Perform system test preparation, execution, troubleshooting, and verification

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/ Experience):

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement

  • Experience with communications subsystems or units

  • Experience with digital payload design, analysis, development, and verification

  • Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • 5+ years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

  • 9+ years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

  • Experience with digital communications

  • Experience working on satellite or space-based payloads

  • Experience with satellite or terrestrial communications systems and antenna theory

  • Experience with Matlab/Simulink and C++

Conflict of Interest: Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Relocation: This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. Note: Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.

Drug Free Workplace: Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Shift: This position is for 1st shift. This worksite participates in Boeing’s optional 9/80 schedule rotation. 9/80 is a rotation in which employees can work 9-hour shifts, 8 days per pay period (bi-weekly) and receive every other Friday off. This is subject to change based on business conditions.

Pay and Benefits: At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Associate (Level 2) Summary pay range: $98,600 - $133,400 Experienced (Level 3) Summary pay range: $119,850 – $162,150 Lead (Level 4) Summary pay range: $146,200 - $197,800

Language Requirements: Not Applicable

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation: This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Export Control Requirement: This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive: This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance: This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship: Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift: Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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How this job compares

Set against the 11,789 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$99–198K/yr
  • California median$144–213K/yr1,825 salary ranges
  • US median$116–190K/yr8,703 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $148K, is 16% below the California median midpoint ($177K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 2,135 open Systems Engineer jobs in California and 11,789 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 8 years (9,870 postings).
Education
4,515 of the 11,789 open Systems Engineer jobs (38%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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