Advanced Airframe Design Engineer
Poway, California
Overview
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: Mid-Level (3-7 years)
Travel: 0 - 25
Success Profile
What makes a successful Advanced Airframe 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 Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
This is an airframe design position in the Advanced Aircraft Engineering Organization located in San Diego, CA. Under the general direction of Engineering management or IPT lead, serve as a member of the airframe design team providing conceptual and detail designs of primary and secondary structural aircraft components. General responsibilities include design activities within an assigned project. Establish and communicate clear task expectations. Primary product lines for design activities will be unmanned aerial vehicles, modification of existing aircraft structures and special projects to support sensor integrations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Create and maintain Advance Airframe CAD models, drawings of installations, assembly and detail components that meet all requirements such as structural integrity, interface boundaries, weight and cost targets as directed by the lead.
- Produce airframe structural configuration layouts and detail designs including preliminary sizing/stress analysis, joint layouts, interface boundary definitions of parts and assemblies employing metallic and composite materials.
- Experience with the composite part detail process, including composites stacking sequence, lamination theory, honeycomb core, bonded assemblies, manufacturing assembly and fabrication processes, post-cure machining operations.
- Coordinate and collaborate with members of stress, manufacturing, procurement, quality control and other departments as required to mature the design from conception to production.
- Strong technical background including familiarity with industry standards for the manufacture, repair and assembly of composite components for aerospace.
- Experience with engineering and manufacturing development and production of structural parts and assemblies utilizing composite materials.
- Experience with prototype and/or rate part production with exposure to tool design, manufacturing planning and hands on fabrication.
- Experience with CREO and/or NX and FiberSIM is desired.
- Stress analysis experience using FEM based tools such as CREO-Simulate, NX Simcenter/Nastran, FEMAP with both metal and composite parts.
- Knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 along with tolerance analysis capabilities.
- Experience in application ASME Y14.41 methods for Model Based Definition using Creo and NX is desired.
- Ability to create and maintain parametric product geometry models is desired.
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; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Must have a complete understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and, expanding knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and, determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
- Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one engineering area; and, lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi-routine tasks.
- Able to work extended hours as required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security clearance is required.
Salary:$81,080 - $141,650
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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