Payload Integration and Test Engineer

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 Integration & Test engineer in Acton, MA, to lead integration, automate tests, and verify EO/IR payload performance. You will collaborate with system, software, and electrical teams in a lab/cleanroom setting and ensure rigorous verification across development stages.

The role emphasizes cross-discipline coordination, test automation with Python, and hardware-in-the-loop assessment, with opportunities for growth and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or related field; two+ 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 (Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, stages).
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis.
• Ability to read and understand C code, diagnostics and interface verification.
• Familiarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and 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.
• Collaborate with Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to test embedded code in hardware-in-the-loop setups.
• Perform electrical and software integration of payload components and interfaces.
• Oversee operation and integration of optical test equipment.
• Support V&V across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware.
• Analyze telemetry, images, and environmental data to assess performance and stability.
• Establish data management and traceability for test results and configs.
• Document test procedures and results per engineering and quality processes.
• Support anomaly investigations and corrective actions during campaigns.
• Mentor early-career engineers and test operators in disciplined processes.

Skills

System-level integration & testing

Multidisciplinary coordination

Electro-optical system design & test

Python for test automation

C code comprehension

Linux & Git familiarity

Technical writing & communication

DoD security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

Python

Git

Linux

CAN/Serial/Ethernet

Colimators & Optical test equipment

Job description

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.

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 Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 68,770 - 116,193