Electrical Engineer Space Payload Development

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics in Massachusetts is seeking an experienced electrical engineer to support EO/IR space-based payloads. You will help conceptualize architectures, define requirements, and coordinate with Systems, Optical, Mechanical, and I&T teams.

Responsibilities include interface documentation, testing, and interaction with subcontractors. You will assist with training, analysis, and proposal support while ensuring schedule adherence and technical quality.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline and progressive engineering experience.
• Six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more with a masters, or two+ with a PhD.
• Experience with space qualified design and testing in space environments.
• Experience interfacing with imaging sensors (CCD/CMOS) in EO/IR payloads.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC/ESD requirements for aerospace hardware.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors and vendors.
• Experience using toolsets including FPGA design and schematic capture.
• Experience with Matlab or Python for analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead EO/IR Payload electrical engineer in conceptualizing electrical architectures and requirements flow-downs.
• Support creating and maintaining component and payload interface documentation.
• Interact with Systems, Optical, Mechanical, and I&T groups to refine electrical design and tests.
• Interface with subcontractors and vendors to manage design, testing and acceptance of electrical components.
• Assist in testing and debugging electrical anomalies and identifying root causes.
• Help design and validate test equipment used during payload integration and test.
• Support program reports on technical, cost, and schedule performance.
• Assist in proposals by estimating hours and effort for electrical work.

Skills

Space electronics design

Imaging sensors integration

EMI/EMC/ESD knowledge

Python/ Matlab

Vendor coordination

Test and debug

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in engineering

Tools

Schematic capture

CAD software

FPGA design

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. This is an exciting opportunity supporting the development of EO/IR space-based Payloads launched into various earth orbits.

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. This is an exciting opportunity supporting the development of EO/IR space-based Payloads launched into various earth orbits.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• You will assist the lead EO/IR Payload electrical engineer responsible for conceptualizing electrical architectures, defining operational concepts, performing trade studies, and generating electrical subsystem level requirements flow-downs (analysis and allocation) inclusive of verification/validation plans
• You will be support creating and maintaining component and payload interface documentation of the electrical systems inclusive of interconnections within the payload and external interfaces between the payload and spacecraft
• You will closely interact with Systems, Optical, Mechanical, and the Integration and Test groups in refining and validating the electrical design and test of the Payload
• You will directly interface with key subcontractors and vendors in managing their design, development, testing, and acceptance of electrical components which are then integrated into the GA Payload
• You will assist in the testing and debug resolution of electrical anomalies at the component and system level and in the determination of root cause and the subsequent corrective action implementation
• You will be a key design contributor of various test equipment used during the payload integration and test. This includes test rack architecture using COTS test equipment and custom test hardware, and the assembly and validation of the test equipment with subsystems and the integrated Payload prior to delivery
• You will support the lead EE in managing the electrical payload tasks and providing the GA Program team with reports related to technical, cost, and schedule performance of the electrical systems tasks
• You will support the business area during proposals by generating electrical architectures and estimating hours and effort required for to perform the proposed effort

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education
• Experience with space qualified design, development, integration and test of electronics and electrical components used in space environments requiring radiation hardening, thermal and power constraints, etc.
• Experience incorporating and interfacing with various imaging sensors including CCDs, CMOS, and other detectors used in electro-optical payloads from visible through long wave infrared wavelengths
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC/ESD design and test requirements for aerospace hardware including spacecraft level grounding and electrical interface control definitions.
• Experience interfacing with subcontractors and vendors including generating detailed specifications and test requirements, providing technical guidance, and issue resolution
• Experience using multiple electrical engineering toolsets including FPGA design, schematic capture, computer aided design software.
• Knowledge and experience in software coding and analysis using various tools such as Matlab/Python or other similar tools.
• Familiarity with performing design trade studies and analyses to optimize electrical designs relative to performance, cost, size and weight
• Laboratory and cleanroom experience using test equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other electronic test hardware in the validation and debug of space grade electronics and components.
• Familiarity with the space payload engineering lifecycle process from conceptual design through post launch support.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience preparing for and presenting at customer reviews.
• Must be able to work extended hours as required and be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and workloads.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required

Job Type: Full-Time Salary
Salary range: 99,500 - 170,750