Engineer VIII

Chief Space Systems Architect

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. GA-EMS Remote Space Sensing Systems (RS3) is redefining access to space with modular, scalable small satellite platforms and constellations.

Backed by proven on-orbit performance, our small satellite solutions support defense, intelligence and civil science missions.

Our team is adding a Chief Space Systems Architect in Englewood, CO. As a senior technical authority for space system architectures within RS3, you will be responsible for defining and overseeing end-to-end space architectures across multiple satellite and constellation development programs. You will shape mission concepts and CONOPS with customers, lead system-level trades and analysis, and guide the flow-down of architectures into requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies.

In this role, you will lead by technical influence across cross-functional teams to ensure architectures are feasible, manufacturable, and aligned with cost, schedule, performance, and risk objectives. You will collaborate closely with systems engineering, spacecraft and payload SMEs, program management, and business development to establish and communicate the technical baseline, support key technical and program reviews, and drive architectural consistency and innovation across the RS3 portfolio.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Serve as the chief technical authority for space system architectures across multiple development programs, defining end-to-end solutions that meet complex mission objectives using space-based platforms supporting EO/IR, Multi-INT, communications, and advanced payloads/sensors.
• Lead the development and maturation of system architectures and CONOPS in close collaboration with mission customers and users; direct system trades and analysis, guide requirements and interface decomposition, and oversee verification and validation planning to ensure architectural integrity.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to Systems Engineers across programs, driving consistent approaches to trade studies, system architecture definition, payload selection, make/buy decisions, requirements synthesis/allocation, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) implementation.
• Collaborate closely with spacecraft engineering SMEs, system integrators, payload teams, and other domain experts to ensure system designs are technically feasible, verifiable, manufacturable, and aligned with cost, schedule, and risk constraints.
• Use strong communication and leadership skills to build consensus on architectural decisions across GA-EMS organizations and the broader customer/user/stakeholder community, clearly articulating technical rationale, risks, and trade-offs to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Partner with program management and business development to define and communicate the fundamental architectural approach in proposals and capture activities, ensuring appropriate scope, risk posture, and technical baseline are established for new and evolving space system opportunities.

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