Senior Electrical Integration and Test Engineer

About the role

General Atomics (GA) and its affiliated companies are 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’s 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.

The Electrical Integration & Test (I&T) Engineer will be based in Herndon, VA, within the Electromagnetic Systems group. The Herndon team provides innovative, cutting‑edge security solutions for the United States Government, focusing on spacecraft, spacecraft payload, and system development in power‑constrained environments, as well as ground control, operational software, embedded software, and cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

Responsibilities

• Participate in derived‑requirements definition, system integration, test, and verification for spacecraft and associated flight‑payload/ground electronics, collaborating closely with the mechanical I&T team and spacecraft development team throughout the full life‑cycle.
• Provide significant hands‑on support for integration and test activities, developing and implementing electrical integration procedures for flight vehicle assembly and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
• Formulate test plans for component, subsystem, and system level testing based on engineering ICDs, system requirement documentation, and program requirements; ensure documentation meets compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluate integration of engineering solutions within the overall environment and ensure appropriate documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates are completed.
• Communicate with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle; represent the company as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects.
• Determine technical objectives for solutions to advanced engineering problems.
• Serve as the prime Electrical I&T technical contact within the engineering team for assigned projects/programs.
• Function in an advisory or leadership role for a project/program, providing direction and guidance to less‑experienced staff.
• Plan and coordinate maintenance of test equipment and technical process standards; support development of new test equipment and process standards to address unique or changing technical requirements.
• Plan for future applications of solutions based on new developments in engineering and technology.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations; work safely in accordance with established operating procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution; twelve + years experience with a bachelor’s, ten + years with a master’s, or seven + years with a PhD (equivalent experience may substitute for education).
• Extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles; ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines; some project leadership experience.
• Quickly understand new concepts and apply them accurately; strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact and to lead less‑experienced professionals.
• Comfortable working with custom/standard serial protocols; ability to develop custom utilities is a plus.
• Experience with spacecraft integration & test; spacecraft operations experience is a plus.
• Proficient in writing scripts and analyzing data using standard software packages (Excel, MATLAB, gnuplot, etc.).
• Comfortable testing hardware/software/communication protocols on deeply embedded systems (e.g., using logic analyzers and related lab tools).
• Proficiency in the C programming language is desirable.
• Experience working within a Linux environment (command line, GCC, Makefiles, shell scripting, etc.) is desirable.
• Customer‑focused; able to work self‑initiated or in a team; able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Travel in support of spacecraft launch campaigns or testing at a supplier’s facility is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance is required.

Pay

Salary range: $116,480 – $208,505 per year.

Schedule

Full‑Time