Engineer VIII

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems is seeking a Chief Engineer for Space EO/IR Payloads in the Optical Sensor System Group in Acton, MA. You will shape the technical strategy and lead execution across development phases from concept to on‑orbit operations.

Lead cross‑functional teams, manage risks, mentor engineers to SME level, and act as the primary technical POC for customers and program management. Active DoD clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree with extensive engineering experience in EO/IR space payloads.
• Experience leading design, performance analysis, assembly, test and operation of EO/IR space payloads.
• Strong breadth across Space Systems and Ground Test Domain.
• Experience leading EO/IR sensor assembly, integration, and test teams.
• Ability to present results to customers and senior management.
• Active DoD security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Apply EO/IR knowledge to develop space payload architectures for weather, missile defense, ISR, or other space sensing missions.
• Provide technical direction for development, interfacing, integration and testing of EO/IR payload systems.
• Support concept development, system architecture, requirements, trade studies, and modeling.
• Organize and review technical efforts and deliverables with program management.
• Act as technical authority for the program and main technical POC for customers.
• Guide program risk/opportunity management and issue resolution.
• Mentor engineers to develop future SMEs.

Skills

EO/IR Payloads

Space Systems

Ground Test

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Job description

52847BR

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.

General Atomics is looking for a Chief Engineer for Space EO/IR Payload efforts within our Optical Sensor System Group in Acton, MA. The Chief Engineer is responsible for the technical strategy and technical execution of space payload programs and IRAD. This includes all phases of development from pre-award concept development, initial architecture and development of interfaces and component requirements through design, testing and verification, production support, and on orbit operations. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for directing the execution activities of all functional disciplines on a program from the existing portfolio as well as heavily engaged in new pursuits.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Application of electro-optical and infrared remote sensing system knowledge to develop and refine space payload system architectures for weather, earth science, missile defense, ISR, or other space sensing missions

• Provide technical direction for all activities associated with the development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of EO/IR Payload systems with complex hardware/software attributes

• Support payload concept development, system architecture development, system and subsystem requirements development, systems analysis and trade studies, and systems modeling and simulation

• Organize and review technical efforts, documentation, and deliverables on payload contracts in conjunction with program management staff.

• Technical authority for the program internally and main technical payload POC for the customer/stakeholders

• Provide guidance on program risks/opportunities

• Responsible for program technical issue resolution, ensures root cause is identified and corrective actions are executed

• Provide mentorship to develop lower-level engineering staff into future SMEs

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; eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Experience leading the design, performance analysis, assembly, test, and operation of EO/IR space payloads.

• Strong multi-disciplinary technical breadth in Space Systems and Ground Test Domain

• Specialized experience including the use of structured analysis, design methodologies and/or design tools in the development and implementation of large projects and experience leading EO/IR sensor assembly, integration, and test teams.

• Creative problem solver who demonstrates a broad ranging technical management and team development experience encompassing: Electro-optical multispectral and hyperspectral imaging sensors for space applications, Visible and Infrared Focal Plane Array technology, Process and system development, Failure and reliability engineering, Risk analysis and management.

• Able to present results and communicate with customers and senior management.

• Active DoD security clearance required

Job Category:

Engineering

Experience Level:

Senior (8+ years)

Workstyle:

Onsite

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

Pay Range Low:

140,940

Pay Range High:

252,293

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Relocation Assistance Provided?

Yes

US Citizenship Required?

Yes

Clearance Required?

Yes

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.