Senior Design Analyst

About the role

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. Their expanding portfolio supports critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide. An exciting opportunity exists within the Aerospace Mechanics Department for a Senior Design Analyst in Huntsville, Alabama. The role exercises considerable latitude to formulate analytical approaches for modeling and analyzing developing designs to resolve advanced technical structural and thermal engineering problems for missile, projectile, and small satellite programs. Assignments are outlined in broad terms, and the incumbent guides successful resolution of engineering problems, serves as a consulting resource, applies modeling and analytical advancements, may function in a project leadership role, documents findings, communicates results, makes technical presentations, and may represent the organization as the prime technical contact on identifiable projects. The position may also direct design or technical staff and lead a team of experienced professionals.

Responsibilities

• Assess and/or develop requirements.
• Primary point of contact for the missile, projectile or small satellite structural or thermal analyses.
• Supports planning, budgeting, and status of missile, projectile or small satellite structural or thermal analyses tasks.
• Facilitates rapid resolution of technical delays that impact tasks including real-time, thorough communication with the chief engineer, program management and other IPT Leads as required.
• Collaborates with GA and customer engineering and program management teams.
• Provides documentation and makes technical presentations as required.
• Supports development, review, and editing of technical documents as required.
• Develops innovative but practical engineering solutions to advanced technical problems in missile, projectile or small satellite structural or thermal analyses that are focused on economical and manufacturable products.
• Provides focal point for technical communication within Company management and may represent the Company as the prime technical contact to customers and/or government regulatory agencies.
• Presents report(s) at engineering meetings, participates in program reviews and consults on missile, projectile or small satellite structural or thermal analyses problems or issues.
• Reviews or performs detailed analysis with emphasis on the structural or thermal analysis aspects of a part or subassembly of a missile, projectile, small satellite or other defense systems.
• Provides expert guidance and consulting with other staff members working on challenging structural or thermal engineering problems.
• Anticipates future engineering needs and the modifications required to accomplish technical goals.
• Addresses complex and difficult technical issues requiring novel and highly creative approaches drawing on advanced engineering concepts.
• May assume technical and engineering responsibility for the success of an identifiable project.
• Directs activities of design or technical staff and may lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows: twelve or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, ten or more years with a master's degree, or seven or more years with a PhD.
• May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must possess DOD Secret security clearance with ability to upgrade to Top Secret if needed.
• Demonstrates extensive technical expertise and application of warhead engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with some experience in project leadership.
• Must have significant structural analytical experience using Ansys, Simcenter and NASTRAN.
• Must have significant thermal analytical experience using Ansys, Thermal Desktop, Simcenter and ablation codes.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks and CREO for model importing and working within PDMPro and Windchill.
• Experience modelling passive (tapes, coatings, etc.) and active thermal control systems.
• Experience with correlation of experimental and environmental testing with FEM results.
• Demonstrates extensive understanding of advanced aerospace materials and their properties to produce unique and innovative design solutions.
• Familiarity with MBE/MBSE is desired.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals, and capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
• Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• A Professional Engineering License, awarded patents,