Engineer VIII

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics in California seeks a Senior Technologist & Architect for space-based optical communication networks. You will lead development of payloads, systems, and networks, coordinating with senior leadership and customers including the DoD and IC to advance space optical communications capabilities.

The role emphasizes expert technical leadership, strategic planning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across RF/optical domains, with high-level security requirements and potential travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/masters/PhD in engineering; 13–18 years experience depending on degree.
• Expert level understanding of satellite networks, optical/RF waveforms, and modulation.
• Familiar with other networks as they relate to optical networks.
• Space-optical communications experience required and proven problem solving.
• Experience with network architecture definition and implementation.
• Strong systems engineering and architectural principles including synthesis and documentation.
• Experience with LEO/GEO/MEO environments and radiation effects on hardware.
• Knowledge of optical downlink/uplink through atmosphere for space links.
• Strong understanding of US Government optical standards (SDA/SSC).
• Expertise in FEC/ARQ and LDPC; NR HARQ desirable.
• Nationally recognized engineering expert with leadership in attracting business.
• Ability to guide complex problem resolution and act as spokesperson.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and articulate innovative resolutions to highly technical engineering problems in space-based optical networks.
• Interact with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring cross-organizational coordination.
• Provide leadership for research and oversee implementation of engineering solutions.
• Plan engineering objectives and timetables, anticipating future challenges.
• Allocate technical resources and staff to achieve objectives.
• Prepare status reports and ensure compliance and safety standards.
• Represent the organization's technical capabilities to national audiences via presentations and papers.
• Attract and retain engineering business and staff through specialized knowledge.
• Mentor and transfers advanced engineering knowledge to staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Observe laws and operate safely per procedures.

Skills

Space-based optical communications

Satellite networks

Systems engineering

Leadership

US government optical standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

FPGAs

Job description

56832BR

Company:

General Atomics

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.

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 opportunity for a senior-level engineer to work in development of space-based optical communication networks. This individual will support development of space optical communication payloads, systems, and networks in our space optical communication program area in a leadership role and has significant interaction with senior leadership, engineering leadership, systems engineers, design engineers, and senior-level customer representatives. Customers include (but are not limited to) the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• With limited management consultation, this position, serving as a recognized authority in space-based optical communications networks, conceptualizes and articulates innovative resolutions to highly technical and complex engineering problems, and provides complimentary subject area expertise in how optical networks relate to RF and other space-based networks.

• Interacts with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between organizations.

• Provides leadership, direction and guidance for research into the solution of engineering problems. Functioning in an advisory or leadership role, directs the planning and oversight of the successful implementation of those resolutions.

• Advises or directs the planning for the implementation of engineering solutions, including strategic objectives and timetables. Anticipates and reports on future engineering challenges that will directly impact the present and future engineering objectives of the organization.

• Participates or directs the allocation of technical resources and professional staff to achieve objectives.

• Prepares status/progress reports and ensure compliance, reporting, and safety standards are maintained.

• Acts as spokesperson and represents the technical capabilities of the organization to national audiences. Represents the company nationally through technical presentations and papers as an expert, consultant, and champion of specialized engineering knowledge

• Functions as a key participant in attracting and retaining engineering business as well as professional staff by way of their specialized knowledge and national representation.

• Effectively counsels, mentors and transfers highly specialized technical engineering knowledge to management, professional and support staff.

• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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

Job ID#:

56832BR

Job Category:

Engineering

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

State:

California

Clearance Level:

Top Secret

Pay Range Low:

140,940

City:

San Diego

Clearance Required?:

Yes

Pay Range High:

252,293

Recruitment Posting Title:

Senior Technologist & Architect, Space-based Optical Communication Networks

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.

• Must have expert level understanding of satellite networks, communication protocols, optical and RF waveforms & modulation schema, free-space optical communication, RF photonics, and RF electronics, satellite communication, transmitters, receivers, signal processing, error correction, and be able to speak to their associated options, technology space, associated benefits, drawbacks, and limitations.

• This individual should be familiar with other communication networks as they relate to optical networks and other related networking fields.

• Space-optical communication experience required. Must have track record of applying theory to solve real-world problems.

• Must have demonstrated experience with network architecture definition and implementation.

• Must possess strong systems engineering and architectural principles including synthesis, documentation, and communication.

• Experience with LEO, GEO, MEO environments, orbital dynamics and associated implications to space-optical communication network architecture & performance as well as associated radiation environments and impact on hardware design, options, and reliability.

• Experience with optical downlink and uplink through terrestrial atmosphere for satellite to air and satellite to ground communications.

• Must have strong understanding of US Government optical communication and interoperability standards, such as those from SDA and SSC.

• Broad knowledge of theory and expertise in error correction, implementation in FPGAs of error correction at the datalink layer including FEC, selective-repeat ARQ, stop-and-wait ARQ, and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC). Additional expertise in implementing New Radio (NR) hybrid-ARQ (HARQ) is desirable. Must have ability to support conversations regarding waveforms such as the 3GPP 5G NR LDPC waveform that SDA uses to specify FEC/ARQ in its OCT Standards.

• Must be a nationally recognized expert in one or more engineering fields as demonstrated by: (1) original work(s) published in national professional engineering journals; (2) invited presentations to national engineering symposiums; (3) participation as Chair on national engineering review panels; and, (4) engineering patents held.

• Has demonstrated leadership ability by directing/developing the solution(s) to highly technical and complex engineering problems, and has been a key participant in attracting and retaining engineering business as well as professional staff.

• Must possess the ability to: (1) guide the resolution of unusually complex technical problems; (2) champion the development of new concepts and principles; and, (3) serve as an expert spokesperson on those concepts and principles.

• Must also possess excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, be customer focused, and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment.

• Able to work extended hours and travel as required. A Professional Engineering License is desirable.

• Must have an active TS clearance with eligibility for special access; desired TS SCI.

US Citizenship Required?:

Yes

Experience Level:

Senior (8+ years)

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

Workstyle:

Onsite

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.