Chief Space Systems Engineer

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 currently have an exciting opportunity for a Chief Space Systems Engineer working on satellite systems to join our team located in Englewood Centennial, CO.

• With consultative direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution(s) for a designated engineering system(s) or project(s)/program(s).
• Functioning in an advisory or leadership role participates in the planning and oversight of the successful resolution and implementation of engineering problem(s) and provides direction and guidance to professional and support staff.
• Formulates technical plans, typically multi-year, for solution(s) development, documentation, and deployment of the engineering solution(s), as well as responsible for meeting various compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluates the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment; and responsible for planning/overseeing documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates. Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the solution development cycle; represents the company as a prime technical contact on assigned system(s) or project(s)/program(s); selects, motivates, and develops professional and support staff; interacts with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations; anticipates future engineering needs; and, develops new or expands existing business opportunities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Program leadership team member responsible for technical leadership of the engineering team in the space system and satellite development, integration and test.
• Serves as the system subject matter expert and technical design authority for the program
• Provides accountability for technical risk, conduct of technical reviews, system modeling and simulation, system performance, system architecture and trade studies.
• Leads the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment; and ensures that appropriate documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates are completed.
• Serve as primary technical interface/point of contact with program customer.
• Perform mission and system design on missions from bid generation through launch and operations.
• Determines annual and multi-year technical objectives for designated engineering systems or project(s)/program(s).
• Represents the assigned systems or projects(s)/program(s) as a prime technical expert.
• Act as expert consultant and advisor in identified area(s) of engineering.
• Advises or directs the activities of assigned project(s)/program(s) to achieve technical objectives.
• Directs and allocates technical resources and professional staff to achieve objectives.
• Develops new and/or expands existing business opportunities.
• Ensures compliance, reporting, and safety standards are maintained.
• Participates in the planning, selection, retention, and development of the professional staff.
• Publishes and present technical papers and abstracts and participate in internal and external technical program reviews.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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

Job Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or ten or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as project and/or program leadership including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established project deadlines or milestones.
• Must posses the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles; resolve unusually complex technical problems; serve as spokesperson on projects and/or programs; and be a technical expert in one or more areas of engineering.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective leadership interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Must have at least 8 years of spacecraft or space system design experience.
• Must have at least 5 years of experience in leading technical teams.
• Great interpersonal skills working in a team environment.
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience in the entire lifecycle.
• Experience preparing for and presenting at customer reviews.
• Systems engineering expertise in ICDs, Requirements, CONOPs, Test, and system integration.
• Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment. Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.

Each job has a salary range which identifies the minimum, midpoint (market) and maximum base pay for the job. Pay rates are established based on the individual’s knowledge, skill, experience and education/training needed to perform the job.