Lead Spacecraft Electrical Chief Engineer

General Atomics; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 141,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks a Space Electrical Chief Engineer to lead spacecraft electrical and avionics design across space programs from concept through launch and on-orbit operations.

You will define system-level electrical requirements, guide multidisciplinary teams, and ensure design integrity through all lifecycle phases while interfacing with customers and leadership to meet mission objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated experience leading spacecraft electrical/avionics design and integration, including power systems and data/command architectures.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft power systems, avionics, data handling, and radiation effects.
• Experience with requirements development and management using tools such as DOORS or similar.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and interact with customers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead and chief engineer for spacecraft electrical and avionics systems across programs.
• Define and own spacecraft electrical architecture, power generation, energy storage, avionics, and data handling.
• Manage system/subsystem requirements and ensure traceability to customer specs.
• Provide direction to electrical, power, avionics, FPGA/ASIC, and harness design teams; review key artifacts and test plans.
• Lead trade studies to optimize architecture, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Ensure compliance with radiation, EMC/EMI, thermal, vacuum, and launch loads standards.
• Oversee development of block diagrams, ICDs, schematics, and power budgets across documentation.
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and present technical material to stakeholders.
• Define and guide integration and test strategies including HIL, environmental testing, and system verification.
• Support failure analysis, anomaly resolution, and root-cause corrective actions during lifecycle phases.
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, software, RF, GNC, and mission assurance teams.
• Contribute technically to proposals and BOEs; support new business capture as SME.
• Mentor early-career engineers and promote engineering best practices.

Skills

Spacecraft electrical systems

Power systems

Requirements management

Leadership

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

DOORS

MBSE tools

Job description

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks a Space Electrical Chief Engineer to lead spacecraft electrical and avionics design across space programs from concept through launch and on-orbit operations.

You will define system-level electrical requirements, guide multidisciplinary teams, and ensure design integrity through all lifecycle phases while interfacing with customers and leadership to meet mission objectives.