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Phd Electrical Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Red 6

Principal Electrical Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$170K - $250K/yr

Advanced degree, Master's or PhD, in Electrical Engineering. * Experience with FPGAs, SoCs, firmware, and embedded software development. * Experience with PCBA design and simulation software, such as ...

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Phd Electrical information

What is a PhD in electrical engineering?

A PhD in Electrical Engineering is the highest academic degree in the field, focused on advanced research, innovation, and the development of new knowledge in electrical systems, electronics, signal processing, telecommunications, or related areas. PhD candidates typically undertake original research, write a dissertation, and may contribute to academic publications. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, and advanced engineering roles in industry. The program usually takes 4-6 years to complete beyond a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

What are typical research and collaboration opportunities for someone with a PhD in electrical engineering in academia or industry?

Professionals with a PhD in Electrical Engineering often engage in advanced research projects, either as part of university faculty teams or within corporate R&D departments. Collaboration is common, involving interdisciplinary teams that may include engineers, scientists, and industry partners to solve complex technical problems. These roles frequently offer opportunities to lead research initiatives, publish findings, and present at conferences. Additionally, there is potential for career advancement into leadership positions, such as principal investigator, project manager, or technical director, as well as opportunities to guide and mentor graduate students or junior engineers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD-level electrical engineer?

To excel as a PhD-level Electrical Engineer, you need advanced expertise in electrical engineering principles, strong analytical skills, and a doctoral degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation tools (such as MATLAB, Simulink, or SPICE), programming languages, and experience with laboratory instrumentation are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, research acumen, and clear communication set top performers apart in this field. These skills are crucial for driving innovation, conducting rigorous research, and effectively collaborating within multidisciplinary teams on complex engineering challenges.

What is the difference between Phd Electrical vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectPhd ElectricalElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Electrical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsDesign, develop, and test electrical systems in industry
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech companiesManufacturers, construction firms, utility companies

The main difference between a Phd Electrical and an Electrical Engineer lies in their education level and focus. A PhD typically involves advanced research and academic roles, while an Electrical Engineer applies practical engineering skills in industry settings. Both roles require a background in electrical engineering, but the PhD emphasizes research and theoretical knowledge.

What are popular job titles related to Phd Electrical jobs in Colorado?

For Phd Electrical jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Phd Electrical jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Phd Electrical jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Phd Electrical jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Phd Electrical job openings:

Phd Electrical jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Electrical job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Space Electrical Chief Engineer

General Atomics

Englewood, CO • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical lead and chief engineer for spacecraft electrical and avionics systems on assigned programs, from concept development through launch and on orbit operations.

  • Define and own the spacecraft electrical architecture, including power generation and distribution, energy storage, avionics, data handling, communication interfaces, and harnessing.

  • Lead or participate in trade studies, oversee development of system documentation, and guide integration and test strategies for electrical systems.

General Atomics rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

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.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Space Electrical Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design, development, integration, and verification of spaceborne electrical and avionics systems.
In this role, you will serve as the technical authority for spacecraft electrical architectures across one or more space programs. You will define system level electrical requirements, guide multi disciplinary engineering teams, ensure design integrity through all lifecycle phases, and interface directly with customers and internal leadership to achieve mission and business objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Serve as the technical lead and chief engineer for spacecraft electrical and avionics systems on assigned programs, from concept development through launch and on orbit operations.
  • Define and own the spacecraft electrical architecture, including power generation and distribution, energy storage, avionics, data handling, communication interfaces, and harnessing.
  • Lead the development, allocation, and management of system and subsystem requirements, ensuring traceability to customer specifications and mission objectives.
  • Provide technical direction and oversight to electrical, power, avionics, FPGA/ASIC, and harness design teams; review and approve key design artifacts, analyses, and test plans.
  • Lead or participate in trade studies (e.g., power architectures, redundancy schemes, component selection, radiation tolerance, derating, thermal/electrical interfaces) to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Ensure compliance with space environmental requirements, including radiation, EMC/EMI, thermal, vacuum, and launch loads, and guide the selection and qualification of EEE parts.
  • Oversee the development of block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), electrical schematics, and power budgets, and ensure consistency across all program documentation.
  • Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) for electrical and avionics systems; prepare and present technical material to internal management and external customers.
  • Define and guide integration and test (I&T) strategies for electrical systems, including functional testing, hardware in the loop (HIL), environmental testing, and system level verification and validation.
  • Support failure analysis, anomaly resolution, and root cause/corrective action activities during integration, test, and on orbit operations.
  • Collaborate closely with systems engineering, mechanical, software, RF, GNC, and mission assurance teams to ensure a balanced, integrated spacecraft design.
  • Provide technical input to proposals, including concept development, BOEs (basis of estimate), risk assessments, and customer briefings; support new business capture as a technical subject matter expert.
  • Mentor and develop early career engineers, promoting sound engineering practices, design standards, and a culture of technical excellence.
  • Ensure adherence to company, program, and customer processes, including configuration management, requirements management, and quality standards.
  • Maintain awareness of industry standards and best practices for space electrical systems and recommend improvements to internal processes, tools, and design methodologies.
  • Perform 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.
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; eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Demonstrated experience leading the design and integration of spacecraft electrical or avionics systems, including power systems and data/command architectures.
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Spacecraft power systems (solar arrays, batteries, power conditioning and distribution, converters, regulators).
    • Avionics and data handling (command and data handling, communication buses such as SpaceWire, CAN, MIL STD 1553, Ethernet).
    • EEE parts selection and derating, radiation effects (TID, SEE), and mitigation strategies.
    • Requirements development and management, including use of tools such as DOORS or similar.
  • Proven ability to lead multi disciplinary technical teams, make sound engineering decisions, and balance technical, cost, and schedule constraints.
  • Experience with system level design reviews and direct interaction with government and/or commercial space customers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present complex technical material to diverse audiences.
  • Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience as a Chief Engineer, IPT Lead, or Lead Systems Engineer on a spaceflight program.
  • Hands on experience with hardware integration and test of spaceflight electrical systems, including environmental testing (vibe, thermal vacuum, EMC).
  • Familiarity with space standards such as NASA, ECSS, MIL STD, or equivalent (e.g., MIL STD 1540, MIL STD 461, NASA GEVS).
  • Experience with model based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methods.
  • Experience working with small satellites, ESPA class spacecraft, or hosted payloads.
  • Prior experience in a DoD or national security space environment.

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About General Atomics

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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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1955

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