Systems Engineer, Test Planning and Execution

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. We are looking for a Systems Engineer to support Space EO/IR Payload efforts within our Optical Sensor System Group in Acton, MA.

The Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical strategy and technical execution of space payload programs, including all phases of development from pre-award concept development, initial architecture and development of interfaces and component requirements through design, testing and verification, production support, and on-orbit operations.

Responsibilities

• Apply electro-optical and infrared remote sensing system knowledge to develop and refine space payload system architectures for weather, earth science, missile defense, ISR, or other space sensing missions.
• Support the development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of EO/IR Payload systems with complex hardware/software attributes.
• Maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification.
• Collaborate with Flight Software teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Document test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes.
• Support payload concept development, system architecture development, system and subsystem requirements development, systems analysis and trade studies, and systems modeling and simulation.
• Organize and review technical efforts, documentation, and deliverables on payload contracts in conjunction with program management staff.
• Provide guidance on program risks and opportunities.
• Resolve program technical issues, ensuring root cause is identified and corrective actions are executed.

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: six or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, four or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Experience with key elements of the design, assembly, test, and operation of EO/IR space sensors.
• Strong multi-disciplinary technical breadth in Space Systems and Ground Test Domain.
• Specialized experience including the use of structured analysis, design methodologies, and/or design tools in the development and implementation of large projects, and experience leading EO/IR sensor assembly, integration, and test teams.
• Familiarity with optics and optical test equipment, including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages.
• Understanding of Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis.
• Ability to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification.
• Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.
• Creative problem solver who demonstrates a broad-ranging technical skillset.
• Able to present results and communicate with customers and senior management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance required (current clearance highly desired).

Pay

Salary range: $98,100 – $171,398

Schedule

Full-Time