Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Huntsville, AlabamaOverview
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: Senior (8+ years)
Travel: 0 - 25
Success Profile
What makes a successful Senior Mechanical Design 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
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.
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 and projectile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.
We have an exciting opportunity within our Aerospace Mechanics Department for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our team in Huntsville, Alabama.
With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude for formulating the analytical approach to model and analyzing developing designs to resolve advanced mechanical design engineering problems for missile, projectile and small satellite programs. Assignments are normally outlined in terms of broad specifications, objectives, possible results anticipated and critical reference points requiring special attention. This position guides the successful resolution of engineering problems, serves as a consulting resource of engineering knowledge, apply the modeling and analytical technological advancements to the problem, and may function in a project leadership role. In addition, this position documents findings, communicate results to engineering staff, make technical presentations, and may represent the organization as the prime technical contact on identifiable projects. Provides direction to design or technical staff and may lead a team of experienced professional staff.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assess and/or develop program requirements.
- Primary point of contact for missile, projectile or small satellite mechanical design engineering.
- Supports planning, budgeting, and status of missile, projectile or small satellite mechanical design engineering tasks.
- Facilitates rapid resolution of technical delays that impact tasks including real-time, thorough communication with the chief engineer, program management and other IPT Leads as required.
- Collaborates with GA and customer engineering and program management teams.
- Provides documentation and makes technical presentations as required.
- Support development, review, and editing of technical documents as required.
- Develops innovative but practical engineering solutions to advanced technical problems in missile, projectile or small satellite mechanical design engineering that are focused on economical and manufacturable products.
- Provides focal point for technical communication within the Company management and may represent the Company as the prime technical contact to customers and/or government regulatory agencies.
- Presents report(s) at engineering meetings, participates in program reviews and consults on missile, projectile or small satellite mechanical design engineering problems or issues.
- Review or perform detailed analysis with emphasis on the mechanical design engineering aspects of a part or subassembly of a missile, projectile, small satellite or other defense systems.
- May participate in the preparation of technical proposals including proposal concepts, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications.
- Provides expert guidance and consulting with other staff members working on challenging mechanical design engineering problems.
- Anticipates future engineering needs and the modifications required to accomplish technical goals.
- Demonstrates extensive understanding of advanced aerospace materials or technologies to design and produce unique and innovative design solutions.
- Addresses complex and difficult technical issues requiring novel and highly creative approaches drawing on advanced engineering concepts.
- Review or perform detail design with emphasis on manufacturing of a part or subassembly of a missile, projectile or small satellite system.
- May assume technical and engineering responsibility for the success of an identifiable project.
- Directs activities of design or technical staff and may lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff.
- Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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 bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; 15 or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, 13 or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or 10 or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Must possess DOD Secret security clearance with ability to upgrade to Top Secret if needed
- Demonstrates extensive technical expertise and application of mechanical engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with some experience in project leadership.
- Must have significant design experience with a preference using SolidWorks, while extensive working knowledge of NX or CREO may be substituted.
- Review detail drawings with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing complaint with ASME Y14.5M
- Demonstrates extensive understanding of advanced aerospace materials and their properties to produce unique and innovative design solutions.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of missile and/or projectiles major components/subassemblies to generate new conceptual configurations for various applications. Components technologies include different sensor suites, guidance and control subsystems, electrical power technologies, airframe lifting surfaces, control surfaces and deployment mechanisms, warhead and fuzing components, airframe technologies, control actuations system, propulsion technologies and other technology components as required.
- Concept integration of missile and/or projectile technologies into feasible concepts for proposals and further studies including overall sizing, mass properties, and other attributes.
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
- Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals, and capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
- Capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
- Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
- Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment.
- Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
- A Professional Engineering License, awarded patents, original work(s) published in professional engineering journals, and invited to present one or more original works to an engineering symposium are desirable.
Salary:$128,130 - $229,358
Benefits
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Healthcare
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Pension, 401(k)/Retirement Plans
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Competitive Pay
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Multiple product lines means a variety of work
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Paid Time Off

“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

“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

“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

“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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