Chief Systems Engineer

About the role

EXO Talent Partners is retained by an established defense and space prime to hire a Chief Systems Engineer to lead the technical integrity and delivery of their electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging payloads for national security space missions. The client is confidential and shared with qualified, cleared candidates on our first call.

This is a chief-level technical authority seat, not a program management role. You own the systems architecture and end-to-end technical execution of advanced imaging payloads, from concept and requirements through integration, test, and on-orbit delivery. It is built for a senior systems engineer who has carried complex space payloads across the full lifecycle and knows how to ship under real schedule pressure.

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What you will own

• Technical integrity and architecture of EO/IR imaging payloads from concept through on-orbit delivery
• Requirements, system specifications, and verification and validation across the payload
• Design reviews, trade studies, and the technical decisions that keep the program on track
• Integration and test strategy, anomaly resolution, and delivery to on-orbit performance
• Technical leadership across a cross-functional team, subcontractors, and the customer

The profile we are looking for

• Active U.S. security clearance, Secret or higher, active at start. This role supports classified programs, and U.S. citizenship is required.
• 12+ years in space or payload systems engineering, with real ownership across the full development lifecycle
• Direct experience with electro-optical or infrared imaging sensors and payloads. Focal plane array or IR detector depth is a strong plus.
• A proven record of delivering flight hardware on schedule, not only architecting it. We want a builder and a finisher who moves programs from design into delivery.
• Comfort in a disciplined defense and space engineering environment, with the judgment to right-size rigor to hit schedule

Nice to have

• National security space experience and familiarity with proliferated or tranche-based architectures
• Background at a defense prime or an established space sensor house

Compensation and logistics

• Competitive base plus annual bonus, a strong 401k match, and relocation assistance for the right candidate. Full details discussed confidentially.
• On-site, greater Los Angeles area

To apply

Apply here, or contact Alex Ganz

Founder and CEO of EXO Talent Partners, at [email protected].

All conversations are confidential.