Job description

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. DUTIES AND 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 is maintained by participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required management, professional, and technical talent. • Identify avionics engineering issues and provide leadership in developing solutions such as re-allocation of resources, modifying specifications, or adjusting architectures to meet program objectives. • May participate in the development of new business opportunities and expansion of existing business opportunities in space systems and satellites. • Formulate plans, typically long-term, and coordinate solutions development and deployment including documentation, reporting, publishing, and making technical and other presentations to ensure viability of avionics solutions in an evolving environment. • Plan for future applications of avionics solutions based on new developments in space and electronics technology, including next-generation C&DH architectures and FPGA-based processing. • Communicate with colleagues and management throughout solution development and deployment cycles. • Represent the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects and interact with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between organizations. • 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. Job Qualifications: • Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as nine or more years of progressively complex engineering experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education. • Active DoD Secret Clearance is required or must be obtainable. • Required Experience: • Spacecraft or high-reliability avionics hardware development, including command and data handling (C&DH) and flight computers. • Mixed-signal circuit design (analog/digital) and analysis for space or radiation-tolerant applications. • FPGA-based hardware design and implementation (e.g., Xilinx or Microchip FPGAs/SoCs) for data handling, signal processing, or control functions. • Analysis, design, and implementation of hardware systems to include digital, analog, and, as applicable, RF interfaces used in space systems. • Desirable Experience: • Avionics and C&DH development for complex, high-performance space system-of-systems (constellations, hosted payloads, multi-satellite missions). • Avionics architecture and project development for Xilinx and/or Microchip devices, including Ultrascale+/MPSoCs or SmartFusion2 SoCs, with emphasis on FPGA-level design and verification. • Familiarity with space data buses and interfaces (e.g., SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, serial, Ethernet) and associated hardware implementation. • Familiarity with DoD and/or NASA technical review processes (at a minimum: SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR). • Desired Skills: • Experience with Xilinx Vivado Design Suite or similar FPGA toolchains. • Experience with VHDL or Verilog for FPGA design and simulation. • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and analysis of avionics and control systems. • Experience with PADS or Altium PCB design software for space or high-reliability electronics. • Demonstrate extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads of an engineering unit to meet established deadlines or milestones, with experience in project leadership. • Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment. • Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and/or professionals. • Capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact. • Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems. • Some travel and extended work schedules may be required. • The submission of a cover letter with resume is desired. Job Category: Engineering Experience Level: Management Workstyle: Onsite Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Salary Pay Range Low: 109,500 Pay Range High: 187,875 Travel Percentage Required: 0% - 25% Relocation Assistance Provided?: No US Citizenship Required?: Yes Clearance Required?: Desired Clearance Level: Top Secret (SCI access eligible)

Requirements

Must-haves

DUTIES AND 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.
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.
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 is maintained by participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required management, professional, and technical talent.
Identify avionics engineering issues and provide leadership in developing solutions such as re-allocation of resources, modifying specifications, or adjusting architectures to meet program objectives.
May participate in the development of new business opportunities and expansion of existing business opportunities in space systems and satellites.
Plan for future applications of avionics solutions based on new developments in space and electronics technology, including next-generation C&DH architectures and FPGA-based processing.
Communicate with colleagues and management throughout solution development and deployment cycles.
Represent the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects and interact with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between organizations.
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.
Active DoD Secret Clearance is required or must be obtainable.
Required Experience: • Spacecraft or high-reliability avionics hardware development, including command and data handling (C&DH) and flight computers.
Mixed-signal circuit design (analog/digital) and analysis for space or radiation-tolerant applications.
FPGA-based hardware design and implementation (e.g., Xilinx or Microchip FPGAs/SoCs) for data handling, signal processing, or control functions.
Analysis, design, and implementation of hardware systems to include digital, analog, and, as applicable, RF interfaces used in space systems.
Desirable Experience: • Avionics and C&DH development for complex, high-performance space system-of-systems (constellations, hosted payloads, multi-satellite missions).
Avionics architecture and project development for Xilinx and/or Microchip devices, including Ultrascale+/MPSoCs or SmartFusion2 SoCs, with emphasis on FPGA-level design and verification.
Familiarity with space data buses and interfaces (e.g., SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, serial, Ethernet) and associated hardware implementation.
Familiarity with DoD and/or NASA technical review processes (at a minimum: SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: brassring
Effort: medium