Space Avionics Manager

About the role

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s 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’ 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. We have an exciting opportunity for a Space Avionics Manager to join our Space Electrical Engineering team located in Englewood, CO. We are looking for someone with drive, talent, and experience in spacecraft avionics, with emphasis on command and data handling (C&DH), flight computers, mixed-signal electronics, and FPGA-based processing, who thrives in a fast-paced Research and Development (R&D) environment. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Manager of Space Electrical Engineering and, alongside high-caliber engineering and management staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of avionics for small satellites and space systems, space-based optical communications, advanced aerospace and electro-optic sensors, nuclear thermal propulsion, and a variety of disruptive “NewSpace” and defense technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning, managing, and technical performance of a space avionics engineering unit through all phases of assigned project(s) from inception through completion.
• Participate with technical staff, program managers, and executive management to develop and implement current, annual, and long-term technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives for the unit.
• Work with GA-EMS engineering staff in the concept development, detailed design, integration, and test of spacecraft avionics hardware, including C&DH subsystems, flight computers, power and data handling units, sensor and actuator interfaces, and FPGA-based processing elements for all relevant product lines and technology areas.
• Participate in and coordinate the establishment of avionics architecture, design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product research, development, testing, and integration for space systems and satellites.
• Generate electrical and avionics architecture solutions for new project needs; perform electrical engineering analyses for systems and circuits; document findings; communicate results to engineering and program management staff; give technical presentations; and manage technical effort schedules.
• Ensure that C&DH and avionics designs meet mission, reliability, radiation, thermal, vibration, EMC, and other space environmental requirements.
• Interact internally with the engineering team and/or with suppliers, vendors, or customers to share information for problem resolution.
• May act as primary contact for avionics engineering activities on assigned programs.
• May participate in the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets, and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
• Ensure technical leadership and excellence