Director of Payload

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Location: Candidates based in New Mexico, Silicon Valley, or the greater San Francisco Bay

Who Are We:

Sceye is a high-growth technology company, building the next generation of instant communications, imaging and remote sensing infrastructure through stratospheric platforms.

Our lighter-than-air high-altitude platform systems (LTA HAPS) are capable of maintaining position over an operational area in the stratosphere (altitudes of 18 – 21km). They can carry multiple telecommunications, imaging and remote sensing payloads, providing unique functionality, cost, environmental and societal advantages.

Our HAPS be deployed in a matter of days and at a fraction of the cost of traditional infrastructure solutions. This makes them an ideal solution for providing telecommunications connectivity, emergency solutions in the event of natural or other disasters, environmental and infrastructure monitoring, Earth observation and a range of defense applications.

Our customers & partners include some of the largest global telecommunications companies, infrastructure operators, climate researchers, civil and defense agencies.

At Sceye, we aim high, and we want you to join us at the stratospheric edge of innovation. As part of our mission-driven team, you’ll contribute to building breakthrough technologies that are changing the way we connect and observe the world. We are looking for individuals who bring not only deep expertise but also bold vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

About the Position:

The Director of Payload will serve as the executive leader and strategic authority for all payload programs across Sceye’s High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) portfolio. This role has full ownership of the payload organization — setting technical strategy, building and leading a high-performing team, and driving execution from concept through flight operations. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader who combines deep technical expertise in aerospace payload systems with the organizational and strategic vision to scale a world-class payload capability.

The Director of Payload will lead and grow Sceye’s payload organization, setting the strategic direction for payload design, integration, test, and operations across multiple concurrent programs. Reporting to senior leadership, you will be responsible for the full payload lifecycle — from concept and roadmap development through flight operations and mission data delivery — while managing cross-functional teams, external partners, and program budgets. The ideal candidate brings executive leadership experience, strategic vision, and deep hands-on expertise in aerospace payloads, remote sensing, or communications systems.

What You’ll Do:

• Payload System Ownership
  • Define and own the multi-program payload strategy, overseeing the integration of all payload classes (e.g., EO, telecom, hyperspectral, LiDAR, radar, and custom sensor systems) across Sceye’s HAPS fleet.
  • Establish and govern payload-to-platform interface standards (mechanical, electrical, data, thermal, and RF) across all programs, ensuring consistency and reusability.
  • Hold final authority on payload design decisions, ensuring all systems meet platform-level performance, safety, mission, and regulatory requirements.
• Integration & Verification
  • Set the IV&V strategy for the payload organization, overseeing development and execution of integration, verification, and validation plans across lab, ground, and flight environments.
  • Oversee payload integration test campaigns — including mechanical fit checks, EMI/EMC, thermal-vacuum, vibration, and functional performance — ensuring resource allocation, scheduling, and quality standards are met.
  • Lead organizational response to anomalies and critical technical issues during integration and flight test campaigns, driving root-cause analysis and systemic corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner at the executive level with Systems Engineering, Avionics, Flight Operations, Mission Planning, and Business Development to align payload roadmaps with company strategy and customer requirements.
  • Own the strategic relationship with payload vendors and partners, negotiating contracts, managing performance, and ensuring compliance with interface control documents (ICDs) and program milestones.
  • Chair and govern design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) for all payload programs and represent the payload organization at platform-level and executive reviews.
• Documentation & Compliance
  • Establish and maintain governance standards for all payload documentation, including interface control documents (ICDs), configuration management, test reports, and program records.
  • Ensure organizational compliance with applicable aerospace standards and regulatory requirements (FCC, FAA, ITAR/EAR, etc.), maintaining a culture of mission assurance across the payload team.
  • Lead flight-readiness reviews and mission assurance processes, serving as the payload organization’s accountable authority for go/no-go decisions.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving organization-wide initiatives to enhance payload integration efficiency, reduce mass/power budgets, and increase mission reliability across programs.
  • Lead long-range payload roadmap planning, directing system-level architecture studies and shaping Sceye’s future payload capabilities in alignment with corporate strategy and customer missions.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in payload systems design, integration, and operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or program management role.
• Demonstrated track record building and leading multi-disciplinary payload teams, managing program budgets, and delivering complex multi-payload programs on schedule.
• Deep understanding of systems engineering principles, configuration management, and verification processes.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) and system modeling tools (e.g., DOORS, Cameo, SysML).
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems, data buses (Ethernet, SpaceWire, CAN), and RF architectures.
• Proven leadership of complex, multi-disciplinary aerospace or satellite projects.
• Strong understanding of EO/IR sensors, data processing, and communication payloads.
• Experience with systems engineering, verification & validation, and flight operations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
• Experience with HAPS, LEO satellites, UAVs, or high-altitude systems.
• Knowledge of FAA and NASA payload integration standards.

What We Offer:

At Sceye, we’re building more than high-altitude platforms—we’re building a workplace where people (and their pups) thrive. Here’s what you’ll enjoy:

• Chef-Prepared Lunches – Fresh, onsite meals to keep you fueled and focused.
• Snacks & Refreshments – Enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks available throughout the day.
• Wellness Perks – Access to a gym, pickleball court, and an outdoor dog kennel.
• Dog-Friendly Environment – Bring your four-legged friends to work and enjoy a pet-welcoming space.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, with over 82% of premiums covered—and 100% for everything else.
• 401(k) with Match – Company contributions that are yours from day one.
• High-Performance Culture – Join a collaborative, inclusive environment where your work helps shape the future of aerospace.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Sceye is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who bring unique perspectives and experiences that can help us grow and innovate. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us—we’re happy to assist.