# Sr. SE – Mission Systems & RF Payloads at Innovative Signal Analysis > United States · Senior · Other · open. Source: https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aisa%3A4297482009 (read 2026-11-14). ## Facts (observed) - Company: [Innovative Signal Analysis](https://alderhq.app/companies/innovative-signal-analysis) - Location text: Richardson, TX; Richardson, TX - Where it can be done from (inferred): United States (evidence: "Location: Richardson, TX; Richardson, TX") - Posted: 2026-06-25 (142 days ago) - First seen by alder: 2026-11-07 · last verified: 2026-11-08 - Reposted: 0 times · edited: 0 times - Apply on the employer's site: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/isa/jobs/4297482009 ## Pay and sponsorship - Posted pay: $175k–$205k per year (from the listing's pay field) - Market band for similar posted roles (United States, n 4275): p25 $103k, median $132k, p75 $170k ## Description (the employer's text) The Senior Systems Engineer will lead mission-level systems engineering activities for advanced aerospace and space-based RF payload systems. This role is responsible for translating mission needs into executable architectures, developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and leading end-to-end systems engineering across mission analysis, RF payload design, integration, verification, and operational readiness. The position requires deep expertise in mission systems engineering, aerospace RF payload architectures, and cross-disciplinary technical leadership. ### Your main responsibilities will be Mission Systems Engineering • Lead mission definition, requirements development, and architecture trades from concept through deployment. • Translate stakeholder and customer mission needs into validated system-level requirements and technical baselines. • Develop and maintain system architecture baselines and solutions. • Conduct mission analysis including performance modeling, link budgets, coverage analysis, and operational scenarios. • Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, ORR) and ensure mission-level technical integrity. ### Aerospace RF Payload Design • Lead system-level design of RF payloads including antennas, receivers, transmitters, frequency conversion chains, digital processing, and command/telemetry interfaces. • Develop and validate RF link budgets, interference analysis, and spectrum compliance strategies. • Define payload performance requirements (gain, noise figure, EIRP, G/T, bandwidth, dynamic range, etc.). • Coordinate with hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, thermal, and power teams to ensure integrated payload performance. • Support environmental qualification and verification activities for flight hardware (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, radiation). ### CONOPS Development • Develop detailed Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) aligned to mission objectives and user needs. • Define operational modes, timelines, command sequences, and contingency operations. • Perform operational trade studies to optimize performance, resiliency, and lifecycle cost. • Support mission readiness assessments and operational validation exercises. ### Requirements & Verification • Lead requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification planning. • Develop verification and validation strategies for mission and payload performance. • Support integration and test planning, including system-level functional and performance verification. • Ensure technical compliance with customer and program requirements. ### Technical Leadership • Serve as technical authority for mission and payload architecture decisions. • Mentor junior systems engineers and support cross-functional integration efforts. • Identify and manage technical risks and mitigation strategies. • Interface directly with customers, subcontractors, and program leadership. ### Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (master’s preferred) • 10+ years of experience in aerospace or space systems engineering • Demonstrated experience leading RF payload design for airborne or space-based platforms • Strong background in RF systems, link analysis, spectrum management, and antenna systems • Experience developing CONOPS for complex aerospace missions • Proven experience supporting major technical reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/ORR) • Ability to acquire and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SSBI and Polygraph Preferred Qualifications • Experience with space missions in LEO, MEO, or GEO • Experience with digital beamforming, phased arrays, or software-defined radios • Existing Top-Secret clearance with SSBI We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus, benefits and equity. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered. --- Data: alder (https://alderhq.app). Cite https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Aisa%3A4297482009 and the date you read it. Observed facts come from the employer's own listing; location reach, level, family and skills are inferences.