Spacecraft Test Chief Engineer

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 Electrical Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, and verification of spaceborne electrical and avionics systems.

In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for spacecraft electrical architectures across one or more space programs. You will define system-level electrical requirements, guide multi-disciplinary engineering teams, ensure design integrity through all lifecycle phases, and interface directly with customers and internal leadership to achieve mission and business objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the technical lead and chief engineer for spacecraft electrical and avionics systems on assigned programs, from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations.
• Define and own the spacecraft electrical architecture, including power generation and distribution, energy storage, avionics, data handling, communication interfaces, and harnessing.
• Lead the development, allocation, and management of system and subsystem requirements, ensuring traceability to customer specifications and mission objectives.
• Provide technical direction and oversight to electrical, power, avionics, FPGA/ASIC, and harness design teams; review and approve key design artifacts, analyses, and test plans.
• Lead or participate in trade studies (e.g., power architectures, redundancy schemes, component selection, radiation tolerance, derating, thermal/electrical interfaces) to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Ensure compliance with space environmental requirements, including radiation, EMC/EMI, thermal, vacuum, and launch loads, and guide the selection and qualification of EEE parts.
• Oversee the development of block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), electrical schematics, and power budgets, and ensure consistency across all program documentation.
• Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) for electrical and avionics systems; prepare and present technical material to internal management and external customers.
• Define and guide integration and test (I&T) strategies for electrical systems, including functional testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), environmental testing, and system-level verification and validation.
• Support failure analysis, anomaly resolution, and root-cause/corrective-action activities during integration, test, and on-orbit operations.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering, mechanical, software, RF, GNC, and mission assurance teams to ensure a balanced, integrated spacecraft design.
• Provide technical input to proposals, including concept development, BOEs (basis of estimate), risk assessments, and customer briefings; support new business capture as a technical subject matter expert.
• Mentor and develop early-career engineers, promoting sound engineering practices, design standards, and a culture of technical excellence.
• Ensure adherence to company, program, and customer processes, including configuration management, requirements management, and quality standards.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards and best practices for space electrical systems and recommend improvements to internal processes, tools, and design methodologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.