SPOCT Leader - Small Uncrewed Engines

Job Description SummaryGE Aerospace is seeking a highly skilled and experienced SPOCT (Systems, steady-state Performance, Operability, Controls, and Transient Performance) Leader to provide technical leadership for all performance, operability, and controls activities supporting our Small Uncrewed Engines (SUE)
Development portfolio, specifically for the GEK1500 and GE426 propulsion systems.

This critical role will be responsible for ensuring both engines meet all requirements relating to performance and operability across the full operating envelope, from sea-level static conditions through high-altitude flight conditions, including transient operations, operability margins,and control system integration.

Job DescriptionKey Responsibilities:

• The SPOCT Leader will coordinate with cross-functional teams and lead design trade studies, assess concept strengths, and execute design uncertainty assessments that could influence strategic focus areas and customer requirements. This role requires expertise in gas turbine performance analysis, engine operability, control system design, and cycle optimization, with the ability to balance performance requirements across multiple concurrent propulsion system programs.

• The SPOCT Leader will work at the intersection of systems engineering, design engineering, controls engineering, and test engineering to deliver propulsion systems that meet or exceed all performance, operability, and control requirements.

  Work Environment:

• Limited remote work is available; however, we offer a flexible schedule to support work/life balance. Travel every 5-6 weeks (2-3 days at a time) to customer and partner sites is required.

Roles and Responsibilities:

SPOCT Strategy and Technical Leadership:

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive SPOCT strategies for the GEK1500 and GE426 propulsion systems, ensuring engines meet all requirements relating to steady-state performance, transient performance, operability, and control system integration across the full operating envelope.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams across aerodynamics, mechanical design, systems engineering, and controls engineering to assess technology capability and maturity.

Design Trade Studies and Cycle Optimization: 

• Lead design space trade studies and cycle optimization activities for both programs, assessing concept strengths and weaknesses to influence strategic focus areas, customer requirements, and proposal evaluation criteria.
• Conduct preliminary cycle design and performance analysis to support architecture decisions, drive component aerodynamic design requirements to achieve performance targets, and help prioritize technology investments based on performance impact and technology maturity.

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): 

• Utilize MBSE tools including CAMEO to manage SPOCT requirements, performance data, and data exchange between individual SPOCT teams and adjacent disciplines.
• Ensure traceability between performance requirements and design specifications, maintain authoritative performance models and operability assessments, and generate performance documentation and operability reports directly from the MBSE environment.

Test Planning and Verification: 

• Lead requirement development, test planning, and qualification planning for performance and operability verification.
• Define performance test objectives, instrumentation requirements, and data analysis approaches.
• Coordinate with Engine Test leadership on performance testing across multiple test sites, analyze test data to validate performance models and assess operability margins, and support qualification activities to demonstrate compliance with all performance and operability requirements.

Team Leadership and Organizational Excellence: 

• Provide technical oversight and mentoring to SPOCT engineers across multiple disciplines supporting both programs.
• Direct studies and ensure deliverables are met for multiple concurrent programs.
• Work with Systems Engineering and Program Leadership to help shape strategy.
• Ensure proper documentation of technical data consistent with engineering policies and procedures, provide timely communications on significant issues or developments, and champion continuous improvement in SPOCT processes.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline from an accredited university
•  Minimum 6-8 years of experience in an aerospace or mechanical engineering position
•  Minimum 4 years of experience in one or more SPOCT primary disciplines (steady-state performance, transient performance, preliminary cycle design,
•   engine operability, or control systems)

Technical Competencies

•   Demonstrated experience leading teams and coordinating cross-functional activities across multiple engineering disciplines
•   Strong understanding of gas turbine engine performance, operability, and control system integration
•   Experience with cycle design parameters early in engine development programs and engine performance characteristics
•   Proven ability to conduct design space trade studies and influence strategic decisions

Professional Skills

•   Strong oral and written communication skills
•   Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with ability to guide and influence others
•   Demonstrated process orientation in approach to work
•   Strong systems thinking and problem analysis skills
•   Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with geographically distributed teams

Security Clearance

•   Ability to obtain and maintain a US DoD security clearance
•   This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information; final offers are contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government
•   Current Secret clearance desired

   Desired Characteristics

Advanced Education and Specialized Experience

•   Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
•   Experience with small uncrewed engines, expendable propulsion systems, or limited-life engine applications
•   Experience with scaled engine derivatives
•   Experience with both military and commercial engines

Technical Depth

•   Experience with more than one SPOCT discipline
•   Experience with cycle and component aerodynamic design
•   Experience with NPSS (Numerical Propulsion System Simulation) or equivalent performance modeling tools
•   Advanced proficiency with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as CAMEO Systems Modeler
•   Experience with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) applications or weapon system propulsion integration

Program and Process Excellence

•   Current active Secret US security clearance
•   Lean Six Sigma training or certification
•   Exposure to both military and commercial engine design requirements
•   Experience managing SPOCT activities across multiple concurrent programs
•   Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with program execution and cost considerations

Why Join Us

Lead the development of next-generation propulsion systems for critical Department of War applications with direct national security impact. Serve as the single point of accountability for major propulsion programs. Work with cutting-edge propulsion technology and innovative development approaches for expendable engine applications. Collaborate with world-class engineering teams across multiple disciplines. Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and executive leadership development.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon proving U.S. Person status (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee).

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information