Chief Systems Engineer
EXO Talent Partners · Greater Los Angeles, CA
FULL-TIME
Posted Sep 10, 2026
Job Description
Chief Systems Engineer — EO/IR Space Payloads (Confidential Search)
Company: EXO Talent Partners
Workplace type: On-site/Hybrid
Location: Greater Los Angeles, CA ·
Type: Full-time, direct hire
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.
.
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 alex@exotalentpartners.com.
All conversations are confidential.
Company: EXO Talent Partners
Workplace type: On-site/Hybrid
Location: Greater Los Angeles, CA ·
Type: Full-time, direct hire
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.
.
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 alex@exotalentpartners.com.
All conversations are confidential.
Benefits
- 401(K)
Additional Details
- City
- Greater Los Angeles
- State
- California
- Country
- US
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