Engineer III

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks a Mechanical Engineer focused on thermal design for optical space payloads in Acton, MA. The role requires hands-on heat transfer expertise and experience with thermal analysis for spacecraft, including AI&T of hardware, often with 2–5 years of relevant work.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to develop and test thermal control solutions for payloads and satellites, advancing senior engineers and owning portions of the thermal

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering or related technical discipline with progressive experience: four+ years with a bachelor’s or two+ years with a master’s.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design and development of thermal management for optical space payloads and orbiting satellites.
• Perform thermal analysis, modeling, and simulation using SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop to support design trades and verifications.
• Support and increasingly lead AI&T processes for payload thermal hardware including test setup and data analysis.
• Develop and review thermal subsystem requirements, allocations, design docs, integration plans, and test procedures.
• Assist with environmental test campaigns (TVAC, thermal cycling) and correlate models to test results.
• Prepare technical docs including analysis reports and test reports for reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Skills

Heat transfer

Thermal analysis

SINDA/FLUINT

Thermal Desktop

CAD tools

SOLIDWORKS

CREO

NX

Python

MATLAB

FORTRAN

AI&T

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

CREO

NX

Job description

56222BR

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.

We have an exciting opportunity in Acton, MA for a Mechanical Engineer with a focus on thermal design for optical space payloads. The ideal candidate has a strong background in heat transfer and thermal engineering and their application to space systems, direct experience in the thermal design and analysis of spacecraft or space payloads, and hands‑on experience with the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of hardware. This role is well suited for an engineer with approximately 2-5 years of experience who is ready to take on increasing technical responsibility while working closely with experienced senior engineers.

The successful applicant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop, analyze, and test thermal control solutions for optical payloads and satellite systems. You will collaborate with mechanical, systems, optical, electrical, manufacturing, and test engineers, learn and apply best practices for thermal control of space systems, and progressively assume responsibility for key portions of payload and spacecraft thermal subsystems.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the design and development of thermal management solutions for optical space payloads, payload components, payload subassemblies, and orbital satellite systems.

• Perform thermal analysis, modeling, and simulation (e.g., using SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop) to support design trades, requirements verification, and performance assessments.

• Support and increasingly lead elements of the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) process for payload thermal hardware, including procedure development, test setup, execution support, and data analysis.

• Participate in the development and review of thermal subsystem requirements, allocations, design documentation, integration plans, and test procedures.

• Support environmental test campaigns (e.g., thermal vacuum, thermal cycling), including planning, test readiness and execution, and correlation of models to test results.

• Prepare technical documentation, including analysis reports, design review materials, and test reports, for internal meetings and program milestone reviews.

• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.

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; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Experience with thermal analysis tools such as SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop is highly desirable; experience with other thermal or finite element tools is a plus.

• Experience with the thermal design and analysis of space payloads, or other complex electro-mechanical systems; direct EO/IR space payload experience is a plus.

• Hands‑on experience with the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of hardware, preferably including thermal control hardware (e.g., radiators, thermal straps, heaters, MLI, thermal interfaces).

• Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SOLIDWORKS, CREO, or NX) and basic scripting/programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or FORTRAN)

• Exposure to thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, or other environmental test programs, including test planning and data analysis; experience correlating thermal models to test data is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles and perform thermal calculations, including hand calculations to support and cross‑check numerical models.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present technical information to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.

• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, work effectively in a team environment, and meet established deadlines or milestones.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Job Category:

Engineering

Experience Level:

Mid-Level (3-7 years)

Workstyle:

Onsite

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

Pay Range Low:

84,000

Pay Range High:

140,625

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

No

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.