{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"a7ca736ba819c81b7d5aff6b","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a7ca736ba819c81b7d5aff6b","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a7ca736ba819c81b7d5aff6b","title":"Payload Integration & Test Engineer","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.\n\nGeneral 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.\nAt 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.\n\nWe 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.\n\nDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:\nDefine and implement test strategies for payload functional, performance, and environmental verification, ensuring full requirements coverage\nLead cross-discipline coordination between optical, electrical, software, and systems teams during integration and test campaigns\nDevelop and maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification\nCollaborate with the Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing\nPerform electrical and software integration of payload components, including command-and-telemetry interfaces, sensors, and power systems\nOversee operation and integration of optical test equipment\nSupport verification and validation (V&V) efforts across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware\nAnalyze telemetry, images, and environmental test data to evaluate system performance and stability\nEstablish data management and analysis workflows for test results, ensuring reproducibility, traceability, and configuration control\nDocument test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes\nSupport anomaly investigation and corrective action implementation during integration and environmental campaigns\nServe as a technical mentor for early-career engineers and test operators, promoting disciplined processes and sound engineering judgement\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply\n\nJob Qualifications\nTypically 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; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\n8+ years of experience with system-level integration and testing of complex hardware or embedded systems\nExperience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving optical, electrical, and software subsystems\nDeep understanding of electro-optical system design and test processes\nFamiliarity with optics and optical test equipment, including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages\nProficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis\nAbility to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification\nFamiliarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and version control (Git)\nStrong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills\nU.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S Security Clearance\nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience developing automated test frameworks for electrical and embedded systems\nFamiliarity with space-borne or high-reliability payloads, especially EO/IR imaging or sensing systems\nBackground in instrument control, data acquisition, hardware communications protocols (Ethernet, serial, CAN, SPI, etc.)\nKnowledge of image processing, calibration, or optical system performance assessment\nExperience performing requirements verification and validation (V&V) and contributing to test readiness reviews or data packages\nFamiliarity with C++, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or continuous integration (CI) workflows\nComfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment with minimal supervision\nWillingness to support off-shift or extended testing during major integration or environmental test milestones\nJob Category\nEngineering\nExperience Level\nSenior (8+ years)\nWorkstyle\nOnsite\nFull-Time/Part-Time\nFull-Time Salary\nPay Range Low\n105,890\nPay Range High\n189,545\nTravel Percentage Required\n0% - 25%\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\nYes\nUS Citizenship Required?\nYes\nClearance Required?\nDesired\nClearance Level\nSecret","company":"Generalatomic","rawCompany":"generalatomic","city":"Acton","state":"MT","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-16T15:21:05.084Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"},{"code":"17-3021.00","title":"Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians","slug":"aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Payload Integration & Test Engineer","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.\n\nGeneral 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.\nAt 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.\n\nWe 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.\n\nDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:\nDefine and implement test strategies for payload functional, performance, and environmental verification, ensuring full requirements coverage\nLead cross-discipline coordination between optical, electrical, software, and systems teams during integration and test campaigns\nDevelop and maintain automated test infrastructure and Python-based test frameworks supporting electrical, software, and optical subsystem verification\nCollaborate with the Flight Software and Systems Engineering teams to assess, debug, and verify C-based embedded code behavior through hardware-in-the-loop testing\nPerform electrical and software integration of payload components, including command-and-telemetry interfaces, sensors, and power systems\nOversee operation and integration of optical test equipment\nSupport verification and validation (V&V) efforts across prototype, qualification, and flight hardware\nAnalyze telemetry, images, and environmental test data to evaluate system performance and stability\nEstablish data management and analysis workflows for test results, ensuring reproducibility, traceability, and configuration control\nDocument test procedures, configurations, and results in accordance with engineering and quality processes\nSupport anomaly investigation and corrective action implementation during integration and environmental campaigns\nServe as a technical mentor for early-career engineers and test operators, promoting disciplined processes and sound engineering judgement\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply\n\nJob Qualifications\nTypically 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; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\n8+ years of experience with system-level integration and testing of complex hardware or embedded systems\nExperience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving optical, electrical, and software subsystems\nDeep understanding of electro-optical system design and test processes\nFamiliarity with optics and optical test equipment, including Collimators, Integrating Spheres, Blackbodies, Lasers, and stages\nProficiency in Python for test automation, data handling, hardware control, and analysis\nAbility to read and understand C code, particularly for diagnostics and interface verification\nFamiliarity with Linux environments, command-line tools, and version control (Git)\nStrong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills\nU.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S Security Clearance\nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience developing automated test frameworks for electrical and embedded systems\nFamiliarity with space-borne or high-reliability payloads, especially EO/IR imaging or sensing systems\nBackground in instrument control, data acquisition, hardware communications protocols (Ethernet, serial, CAN, SPI, etc.)\nKnowledge of image processing, calibration, or optical system performance assessment\nExperience performing requirements verification and validation (V&V) and contributing to test readiness reviews or data packages\nFamiliarity with C++, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or continuous integration (CI) workflows\nComfortable operating in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment with minimal supervision\nWillingness to support off-shift or extended testing during major integration or environmental test milestones\nJob Category\nEngineering\nExperience Level\nSenior (8+ years)\nWorkstyle\nOnsite\nFull-Time/Part-Time\nFull-Time Salary\nPay Range Low\n105,890\nPay Range High\n189,545\nTravel Percentage Required\n0% - 25%\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\nYes\nUS Citizenship Required?\nYes\nClearance Required?\nDesired\nClearance Level\nSecret","datePosted":"2026-07-16T15:21:05.084Z","dateModified":"2026-07-16T15:21:05.084Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Generalatomic","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Acton","addressRegion":"MT","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"a7ca736ba819c81b7d5aff6b"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a7ca736ba819c81b7d5aff6b"}}