Engineer II

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks a Senior Optical Payload I&T engineer to lead integration and test of EO/IR payload subsystems in Acton, MA. You will automate tests, work with cross-functional teams, and ensure system performance against requirements.

Responsibilities include developing test infrastructure, analyzing telemetry, and mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced lab environment. Requires DoD clearance eligibility and strong Python/C skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline and 2+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience with system-level integration and testing of complex hardware or embedded systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving optical, electrical, and software subsystems.
• Understanding of electro-optical system design and test processes.
• Familiarity with optics and optical test equipment including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis.
• Ability to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification.
• Familiarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and version control (Git).
• Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement test strategies for payload functional, performance, and environmental verification.
• Lead cross-discipline coordination between optical, electrical, software, and systems teams during integration and test campaigns.
• Develop and maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification.
• Collaborate with Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Perform electrical and software integration of payload components, including command-and-telemetry interfaces, sensors, and power systems.
• Oversee operation and integration of optical test equipment.
• Support verification and validation across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware.
• Analyze telemetry, images, and environmental test data to evaluate system performance and stability.
• Establish data management and analysis workflows for test results, ensuring reproducibility and traceability.
• Document test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes.
• Support anomaly investigation and corrective action during campaigns.
• Mentor early-career engineers and test operators.

Skills

Python

C code

Linux

Git

Test automation

Embedded systems

Optical test equipment

Written communication

DoD security clearance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering

Tools

Python

C/C++

Collimators

Integrating Spheres

Blackbodies

Lasers

Job description

56639BR

Job Summary:

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

At GA-EMS – Optical Sensor Systems, we design, build, and test advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) space payload that power next-generation remote-sensing systems. You’ll join a multidisciplinary team tackling technically challenging problems in a collaborative, hands-on environment. We value innovation, rigor, and accountability—offering opportunities for growth and leadership based on technical excellence.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Optical Payload Integration & Test (I&T) engineer to join our Optical Payload Integration & Test (I&T) team. This role focuses on electro-optical system integration, test automation, and verification & validation of complex EO/IR payload subsystems. You will work closely with systems, software, and electrical engineers to plan and execute integration activities, automate test workflows, and ensure performance and reliability requirements are met. Candidates should be comfortable working in laboratory and cleanroom environments with test hardware, software interfaces, and data analysis tools. This is a full-time position located in Acton, MA.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and implement test strategies for payload functional, performance, and environmental verification, ensuring full requirements coverage

• Lead cross-discipline coordination between optical, electrical, software, and systems teams during integration and test campaigns

• Develop and maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification

• Collaborate with the Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing

• Perform electrical and software integration of payload components, including command-and-telemetry interfaces, sensors, and power systems

• Oversee operation and integration of optical test equipment

• Support verification and validation (V&V) efforts across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware

• Analyze telemetry, images, and environmental test data to evaluate system performance and stability

• Establish data management and analysis workflows for test results, ensuring reproducibility, traceability, and configuration control

• Document test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes

• Support anomaly investigation and corrective action implementation during integration and environmental campaigns

• Serve as a technical mentor for early-career engineers and test operators, promoting disciplined processes and sound engineering judgement

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 or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelors degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Experience with system-level integration and testing of complex hardware or embedded systems

• Experience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving optical, electrical, and software subsystems

• Understanding of electro-optical system design and test processes

• Familiarity with optics and optical test equipment, including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages

• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis

• Ability to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification

• Familiarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and version control (Git)

• Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing automated test frameworks for electrical and embedded systems

• Familiarity with space-borne or high-reliability payloads, especially EO/IR imaging or sensing systems

• Background in instrument control, data acquisition, hardware communications protocols (Ethernet, serial, CAN, SPI, etc.)

• Knowledge of image processing, calibration, or optical system performance assessment

• Experience performing requirements verification and validation (V&V) and contributing to test readiness reviews or data packages

• Familiarity with C++, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or continuous integration (CI) workflows

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment with minimal supervision

• Willingness to support off-shift or extended testing during major integration or environmental test milestones

Job Category:

Engineering

Experience Level:

Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Workstyle:

Onsite

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

Pay Range Low:

68,770

Pay Range High:

116,193

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

US Citizenship Required?:

Yes

Clearance Required?:

Desired

Clearance Level:

Secret

General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. In accordance with applicable federal law, General Atomics takes affirmative action to employ and advance the employment of qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions. To learn more, please review the EEOC’s "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster.