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Senior Satellite Thermal Engineer

Englewood, Colorado

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Overview

General Atomics pioneers technologies with the potential to change the world. Behind a talented global team of engineers, GA delivers safe, sustainable, and economical solutions to meet growing global demands. Our Engineers have an opportunity to work on first of a kind product lines within an incredible, dynamic environment.

Engineering positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience. Candidates from mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering backgrounds must know the fundamentals of engineering system developments, requirements, testing, and integration before getting to the final stages of customer interface and project management.

  • Schedule: Full-Time Salary

  • Job Level: Mid-Level (3-7 years)

  • Travel: 0 - 25

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Success Profile

What makes a successful Senior Satellite Thermal Engineer at General Atomics? Check out the top traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right mix.

  • Analytical
  • Collaborative
  • Inventive
  • Problem Solver
  • Team Player
  • Creative

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Job ID 49196BR Company General Atomics Experience Level Mid-Level (3-7 years) Job Title Senior Satellite Thermal Engineer City Englewood State Colorado Workstyle Onsite Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Salary Salary Range $98,100 - $171,398

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.

Whether a specific satellite for a specific mission or a constellation of interconnected spacecraft, the GA-EMS Space Systems team is re-defining how customers can access the possibilities of space. GA-EMS offers modular and scalable satellite platforms backed with a history of operational flight experience to support defense, civil, commercial, and academic mission requirements.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Experienced Satellite Thermal Engineer to join our team located in Englewood, CO. With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution to advanced technical engineering problems).

Evaluates the integration of the engineering solutions within the overall engineering environment; and ensures that appropriate documentation, testing and engineering updates completed. Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle, represents the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects, interacts with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations, and participates in the development of new or expansion of existing business.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • System engineering, technical design and analysis for studies and missions from bid generation, through to launch and operations, with a thermal system focus.
  • Perform thermal subsystem level design, including requirement analysis, mission analysis, and design trade-offs.
  • Design, specification for heat pipes, phase-change material systems, conduction bars, radiators, heaters, and cryogenic systems as well as test and ground support equipment.
    Provide thermal test support including planning, writing test plans, predictions, testing, evaluation and correlation.
  • Responsible for authoring, review and release of various thermal CDRLs, reports and trade study documents.
  • Support the wider team in mission and operational concept development for satellite missions.
    Liaise with all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters and support other teams / disciplines as necessary.
  • Represents the organization as a prime technical contact within the engineering team for assigned project(s)/program(s) and with supplier or customer meetings and presentations.
    May function in an advisory or leadership role for a project/program and provide direction and guidance to less experienced professional staff or team of professional staff.
  • Formulates plans and guides the development and implementation of engineering solution(s) including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration and compliance and safety.

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; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Familiarity with all aspects of the satellite system life cycle, including environmental test, launch, commissioning and operations.
  • Experience with TVAC and thermal balance testing, instrumentation, model tuning, test plans and procedures.
  • Experience with thermal analysis of satellites and related materials including interface resistances, coatings, radiators and solar panels.
  • Understanding of orbit mechanics and the impact of different orbits on satellite thermal design.
  • Experience with thermal analysis and software tools such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA and FLUENT
  • Familiarity with passive and active thermal management techniques.
  • Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
  • Strong communication (written and verbal), computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Previous experience and exposure to opto-mechanics, imaging and directed energy systems is beneficial.
  • Active DoD Security Clearance is required.

Salary:$98,100 - $171,398
Travel Percentage Required 0 - 25 Relocation Assistance Provided Not Provided US Citizenship Required? Yes Clearance Required? Yes Clearance Level Top Secret
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Benefits

  • Healthcare

  • Pension, 401(k)/Retirement Plans

  • Competitive Pay

  • Multiple product lines means a variety of work

  • Paid Time Off

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Image of Peter, Senior Staff Engineer
“The company is growing, has a very good reputation and had open positions in my area of expertise (aircraft design/design methodology development).”
– Peter, Senior Staff Engineer
Image of Debra, CSSBB: Staff Engineer
“We don't ascribe to quotas; we do ascribe to securing the BEST talent to enrich our culture toward healthy diversification and active/viable community service. We are STEM advocates.”
– Debra, CSSBB: Staff Engineer
Image of Scott, Laser Scientist
“Every day is different, with different problems to solve and many programs to support. I am a problem solver and have always been motivated by the tough questions.”
– Scott, Laser Scientist
Image of John, Staff Engineer
“I work in the Components Engineering and Obsolescence Management Dept. Our efforts are saving General Atomics several millions of dollars by proactively leading and informing the company of all these decisions which significantly impact production, sustainment and new designs.”
– John, Staff Engineer

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