Senior Systems Engineer, Space Systems

General Atomics (GA) and its affiliates develop high‑technology systems 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. The Herndon, VA office provides innovative, cutting‑edge security solutions for the United States Government, supporting spacecraft payload and system development, ground control and operational software, embedded software, and unique cyber capabilities for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.

Responsibilities

• Formulates long‑term plans for solution development, documentation, deployment, and compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluates integration of engineering solutions within the overall environment and ensures appropriate documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates are completed.
• Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle; represents the company as a prime technical contact on contracts/projects; interacts with senior external personnel on technical matters; and participates in developing new or expanding existing business.
• Determines technical objectives for solutions to advanced engineering problems.
• Represents the organization as a prime technical contact within an engineering team for assigned projects/programs.
• May function in an advisory or leadership role, providing direction and guidance to less‑experienced professional staff or teams.
• Formulates plans and guides development and implementation of engineering solutions, including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration, compliance, and safety.
• Plans and coordinates maintenance of engineering solutions, including documentation, reporting, publishing, and technical presentations to ensure viability in an evolving environment.
• Plans for future applications of solutions based on new engineering technology developments.
• Participates in or leads the development of new or expanded business opportunities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Observes all laws, regulations, and applicable obligations; works safely in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with progressive experience: twelve + years with a bachelor’s, ten + years with a master’s, or seven + years with a PhD (equivalent experience may substitute for education).
• Demonstrates detailed technical expertise and application of engineering principles, with ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines or milestones; some project‑leadership experience.
• Ability to quickly understand new concepts and apply them accurately; strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for interfacing with departments, customers, government representatives, and professionals; capable of serving as prime technical contact and providing leadership to less‑experienced staff.
• Real‑world experience with system architecture, requirements tracking, budget development and tracking, and system‑level analyses supporting trade studies.
• Extensive experience with orbital dynamics, attitude control systems, orbital visualization, and other spacecraft modeling tools.
• Understanding of principles for spacecraft design, build, test, and operation.
• Experience with CONOPS design and mission modeling.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills enabling effective leadership interaction with all levels of management, staff, customers, and government representatives.
• Customer‑focused; formulates plans based on innovative designs to resolve advanced technical engineering problems.
• Self‑initiated work style and ability to thrive in a team environment.
• Willingness to work extended hours as required.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Pay

Salary range: $116,480 – $208,505

Schedule

Full‑Time