Senior Scientist, Optical Communication Payloads

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) in Rancho Bernardo, CA seeks a Senior Scientist to advance EO/IR space-based and airborne optical communications payloads. You will develop advanced laser and electro-optical systems in a multidisciplinary team.

The role requires deep technical expertise, hands-on laser experience, and ability to guide programs from concept to testing. A Top Secret clearance is required and the position is full-time with competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Advanced degrees (BS/MS/PhD) in a scientific or technical field with substantial experience.
• Experience designing, prototyping, building, and testing fiber lasers and electro-optical systems for space/airborne use.
• Hands-on work with high-power fiber laser systems, fiber optics, and lab instruments (beam profilers, scopes, spectrum analyzers).
• Experience with optical fiber system build/integration, splicing, testing, and alignment with system requirements.
• Knowledge of laser physics, nonlinear optics, waveguide optics, laser comms, and free-space beam propagation.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a multidisciplinary team; procurement and oversight with suppliers/GFE.
• Active Top Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Develops innovative solutions to advanced electro-optical and laser systems problems.
• Serves as technical contact for projects and with customers/government agencies.
• Presents technical reports at engineering meetings and participates in program reviews.
• Mentors junior engineers and scientists.
• Anticipates future engineering needs and modifies plans accordingly.
• Addresses complex issues with creative, system-level thinking.
• May lead a project or major task and coordinate design, analysis, build, and test activities.
• Directs activities of design or technical staff and may lead a small team on moderately complex efforts.
• Supports tailoring and application of standard GA processes, methods, tools, and metrics to meet program requirements.
• Contributes to design, development, integration, and testing of components and systems for space and military applications.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Top Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in a scientific/technical field

Tools

Fiber splicing systems

Beam profilers

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Fiber lasers

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.

This Senior Scientist, Optical Communication Payloads opening is an exciting opportunity supporting the development of EO/IR space-based communication payloads, and airborne laser systems for our Optical Technologies organization in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops innovative and practical solutions to advanced technical problems in engineering, with emphasis on complex electro-optical and laser systems.
• Serves as a primary technical point of contact within the Company for assigned projects and may represent the Company as technical contact with customers and/or government regulatory agencies under the guidance of senior staff.
• Presents technical reports at engineering meetings, participates in program reviews, and consults on technical issues across multidisciplinary teams.
• Provides guidance and consulting to other staff members working on difficult engineering problems and supports mentoring of junior engineers and scientists.
• Anticipates future engineering needs and recommends modifications required to accomplish technical and programmatic goals.
• Addresses complex technical issues requiring creative approaches, drawing on advanced engineering concepts and an understanding of system-level impacts.
• May assume technical and engineering responsibility for the success of an identifiable project or major project task, including coordination of design, analysis, build, and test activities.
• Directs activities of design or technical staff and may lead a small team of professional staff on moderately complex efforts.
• Supports tailoring and application of standard GA processes, methods, tools, and metrics to meet unique program requirements, balancing execution risk, schedule, and cost.
• Supports technical baseline control activities, including participation in Engineering Review Boards (ERB) and Risk and Opportunity Management Process (ROMP) execution for assigned scope.
• Contributes to the design, development, integration, and testing of components and systems for space and military applications, and documents findings, communicates results, and supports test activities both on and off site.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

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 a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; fifteen or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, thirteen or more years experience with a Masters degree, and ten or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Designs, prototypes, builds, and tests fiber lasers and electro-optical systems suitable for space and airborne applications.
• Hands-on experience building high-power fiber laser systems; operating fiber-optic equipment; and using laboratory equipment such as beam profilers, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.
• Experience in the development, assembly/integration, environmental test, and characterization of laser/optical systems, including validation against system-level requirements.
• Knowledge of laser physics, nonlinear optics, waveguide optics, laser communication, and free-space beam propagation.
• Experience with optical fiber system build and integration, including fiber splicing, laser integration, optical testing, and electronics/mechanical integration.
• Capability to operate fiber-splicing systems and to work with fragile optical components, requiring strong attention to detail, precision hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with multiple phases of the program lifecycle (e.g., concept development, design, integration, test, and deployment) and with environmental and, preferably, flight testing.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment and to coordinate with systems engineering, program management, and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Experience contributing to the technical development, implementation, and testing of optical communication or advanced electro-optical systems for space or airborne platforms.
• Ability to support procurement and technical oversight of supplier-developed or government-furnished equipment (GFE) hardware/software in collaboration with subcontract management and procurement teams.
• Demonstrated ability to drive closure and help resolve complex technical issues and challenges within assigned scope.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to enable effective interface within departments, with management, peers, customers, and government representatives.
• Active Top Secret clearance is required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 155,040 - 277,530