A globally focused space organization developing and operating advanced satellite systems and mission payloads is seeking an experienced Satellite Payload Manager to lead technical strategy, development, integration, testing, qualification, delivery and operational performance of satellite payloads across commercial, scientific, communications, Earth observation and government applications.
About the Role — Payload Lifecycle Leadership
Core Function: Leading payload development from mission definition through in-orbit commissioning
Technical Coordination: Coordinating RF, optical, electronic, mechanical, thermal, software and systems disciplines
Testing & Integration: Managing payload integration, environmental testing and qualification activities
Supplier Management: Overseeing payload suppliers, technology partners and specialist contractors
About This Space Organization
Mission Scope: Developing satellite systems for commercial, scientific, communications and government applications
Multidisciplinary Team: Spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission operations and data processing expertise
Global Reach: Delivering reliable payload capabilities throughout the entire mission lifecycle
Work Style: Fully remote role open to experienced professionals based in the UAE
Position Overview
This Satellite Payload Manager role involves developing payload strategies and technical roadmaps, leading payload development from mission definition through commissioning, translating mission objectives into payload requirements and verification criteria, coordinating payload interfaces with spacecraft systems, leading design reviews and managing schedules and budgets, overseeing integration and testing activities, managing payload anomalies and root-cause analysis, supporting launch campaigns and in-orbit commissioning, and managing technical suppliers and technology partners.
Why This Role Matters: As Satellite Payload Manager, you own the technical strategy behind advanced satellite payloads from concept through in-orbit operations, coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams across RF, optical, electronic and software domains, apply rigorous verification and testing standards that ensure mission success, manage supplier relationships and technology partnerships critical to payload delivery, and shape the future of communications, Earth observation and scientific space missions within a fully remote role open to UAE-based professionals.
Key Responsibilities
Payload Strategy & Development
- Develop and implement satellite payload strategies, technical roadmaps and lifecycle processes
- Lead payload development from mission definition through qualification, integration, launch and commissioning
- Translate mission objectives into payload requirements, performance targets and verification criteria
Technical Coordination & Interfaces
- Coordinate payload engineering across RF, optical, electronic, mechanical, thermal, software and systems disciplines
- Coordinate payload interfaces with spacecraft structures, power, thermal control, avionics and communications
- Lead payload design reviews including CDRs, PDRs and acceptance reviews
Integration, Testing & Performance
- Develop payload integration and test strategies across component through end-to-end mission levels
- Coordinate functional, performance, environmental and qualification testing
- Establish payload performance budgets and monitor performance against requirements
- Lead root-cause analysis for payload failures and anomalies
Launch, Commissioning & Operations
- Support launch campaign activities and payload readiness
- Support payload commissioning including activation, functional checks and calibration
- Monitor in-orbit payload performance and coordinate anomaly investigation
Supplier & Regulatory Management
- Manage payload suppliers, technology partners and specialist contractors
- Ensure compliance with space, spectrum, export-control and regulatory requirements
- Mentor payload engineers and provide senior management reporting
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience Requirements
- Strong experience in satellite payload engineering, spacecraft systems or payload development
- Experience with communications, RF, optical, Earth observation, scientific instrumentation or navigation payloads
- Experience managing payload development, integration, testing and operational readiness
Essential Skills
- Strong understanding of satellite payload architectures and spacecraft interfaces
- Strong knowledge of payload requirements, performance budgets, verification and validation
- Knowledge of environmental qualification and acceptance testing for space hardware
- Experience with payload calibration, characterization and anomaly resolution
- Experience managing technical suppliers, laboratories and specialist contractors
- Familiarity with satellite ground systems, mission operations and telemetry environments
About This Space Systems Opportunity
This Satellite Payload Manager role sits within a globally focused space organization delivering advanced satellite systems and mission payloads across commercial, scientific, communications and government applications. Open to experienced professionals working remotely, including those based in the UAE, the position offers the chance to lead payload strategy and technical execution from concept through in-orbit operations.
Career Excellence: Lead satellite payload strategy and execution within a global space systems organization, fully remote.
Who Should Apply?
- Satellite Payload Engineers/Managers: With mid-to-senior experience in spacecraft systems
- RF/Optical Payload Specialists: With communications or Earth observation payload experience
- Systems Integration Engineers: Skilled in payload-level and spacecraft-level testing
- Space Industry Program Managers: Experienced managing suppliers and technology partners
- Remote-First Aerospace Professionals: Based in the UAE and seeking senior space engineering roles
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