Engineer II

Job Summary

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.

At GA-EMS - Optical Sensor Systems, we design, build, and test advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) space payload that power next-generation remote-sensing systems. You'll join a multidisciplinary team tackling technically challenging problems in a collaborative, hands-on environment. We value innovation, rigor, and accountability-offering opportunities for growth and leadership based on technical excellence.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Optical Payload Integration & Test (I&T) engineer to join our Optical Payload Integration & Test (I&T) team. This role focuses on electro-optical system integration, test automation, and verification & validation of complex EO/IR payload subsystems. You will work closely with systems, software, and electrical engineers to plan and execute integration activities, automate test workflows, and ensure performance and reliability requirements are met. Candidates should be comfortable working in laboratory and cleanroom environments with test hardware, software interfaces, and data analysis tools. This is a full-time position located in Acton, MA.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:Define and implement test strategies for payload functional, performance, and environmental verification, ensuring full requirements coverage

Lead cross-discipline coordination between optical, electrical, software, and systems teams during integration and test campaigns

Develop and maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification

Collaborate with the Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing

Perform electrical and software integration of payload components, including command-and-telemetry interfaces, sensors, and power systems

Oversee operation and integration of optical test equipment

Support verification and validation (V&V) efforts across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware

Analyze telemetry, images, and environmental test data to evaluate system performance and stability

Establish data management and analysis workflows for test results, ensuring reproducibility, traceability, and configuration control

Document test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes

Support anomaly investigation and corrective action implementation during integration and environmental campaigns

Serve as a technical mentor for early-career engineers and test operators, promoting disciplined processes and sound engineering judgement

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 or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelors degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

Experience with system-level integration and testing of complex hardware or embedded systems

Experience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving optical, electrical, and software subsystems

Understanding of electro-optical system design and test processes

Familiarity with optics and optical test equipment, including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages

Proficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis

Ability to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification

Familiarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and version control (Git)

Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications:Experience developing automated test frameworks for electrical and embedded systems

Familiarity with space-borne or high-reliability payloads, especially EO/IR imaging or sensing systems

Background in instrument control, data acquisition, hardware communications protocols (Ethernet, serial, CAN, SPI, etc.)

Knowledge of image processing, calibration, or optical system performance assessment

Experience performing requirements verification and validation (V&V) and contributing to test readiness reviews or data packages

Familiarity with C++, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or continuous integration (CI) workflows

Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment with minimal supervision

Willingness to support off-shift or extended testing during major integration or environmental test milestones