Senior Project Engineer for Payload Development
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: Senior (8+ years)
Travel: 0 - 25
Success Profile
What makes a successful Senior Project Engineer for Payload Development 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, tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) Project Engineer to join our Agile Mission Systems (AMS) Team to lead the integration of payloads for our Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and Ground Control Stations (GCS) in Poway, CA.
This candidate will lead the integration and flight test of cutting edge sensors and payloads including Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), Survivability, Communications (Comms), Tactical Datalinks and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems.
This position is responsible for executing quick-reaction customer funded and IR&D projects focused resolving a wide range of difficult engineering problems, developing future programs, and interfacing with company management and the customer.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leads integration and flight test activity for a wide range of platforms, sensors and payloads
- Implements hardware and software technologies for the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flight environment
- Develops airworthiness and analysis documentation in collaboration with various functional engineering groups
- Contributes to system architecture development tied to mission and performance requirements
- Plans and leads activity for diverse cross-functional engineering teams to successfully execute programs within budget and schedule objectives
- Plans and develops solutions around Cyber Security and test authorization approvals
- Develops and presents technical material for diverse group of internal and Customer stakeholders
- Acts as technical lead for multiple projects and plays a critical role in progressing project maturity
- Identifies gaps in complicated technical projects and create solutions to maintain schedule and technical requirements
- Writes technical documentation for airworthiness, installation instruction and operation
- Troubleshoots, analyzes, and repairs systems in assigned area by utilizing standard engineering and scientific principles
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 thorough understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory with experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts.
- Experience working around aircraft and related systems is preferred.
- Working understanding in the principles of one or more of the following technical areas is preferred, but not required:
- Electronic Warfare (EW)
- Signals Intelligence (SI)
- Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
- Communications (Comms)
- Tactical Datalinks including Link 16
- Must participate/engage in expanding knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
- Networking experience or familiarity is preferred but not required.
- Must possess the ability to develop and communicate new concepts; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
- Must be able to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases along with determining 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 strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Must be able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas; capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact and, lead a team of moderately experienced professional employees on single component projects.
- Have the ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
Salary:$105,890 - $189,545
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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