Engineer VII

Company

General Atomics

Job Summary

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 Satellite Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer to join our Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group located in Herndon, VA.  The Herndon team provides innovative, cutting-edge, security solutions for the United States Government. Our employees provide a multi-disciplinary, sometimes non-traditional, approach to generate innovative solutions to incredibly challenging technical problems in the national security arena. Our areas of expertise are in spacecraft payload and system development (especially in the confines of implementing very large amounts of functionality in extremely small, power-constrained environments); unique system development; ground control and operational software development; embedded software development; and unique cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

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). 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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 guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) algorithms for satellite missions.
• Responsible for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) system design, implementation, simulation and testing.
• Establishes, maintains and executes satellite attitude control simulation software.
• Analyzes the stability and robustness of guidance and control algorithms using control theory and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Undertakes requirements capture, performance trades and design activities.
• Performs 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.

Travel Percentage Required

0% – 25%

Clearance Level

Top Secret

Clearance Required?

Desired

Job 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; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a master’s 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 possess 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.
• Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Experience in satellite attitude and orbit control systems.
• Experience with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, and implementations in satellite systems and their applications.
• Experience with physics-based modeling of dynamic systems and Monte Carlo simulation analysis.
• Experience developing software in C/C++ and Matlab/Simulink.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours as required and adaptable to changing priorities and workloads.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance is required

US Citizenship Required?

Yes