Electrical Engineer, Instrumentation and Hardware
San Diego, 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: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
Travel: 0 - 25
Success Profile
What makes a successful Electrical Engineer, Instrumentation and Hardware 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 defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.
We have an exciting opportunity for a junior Electrical Engineer (EE) to join our Electrical Technologies team located in Rancho Bernardo. We are looking for someone with drive, talent, and ideally entry-level experience in Instrumentation and Hardware who also thrives in a fast-paced, Research and Development (R&D) environment. The successful candidate will report to the Instrumentation and Embedded Controls manager and, alongside high-caliber staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of high-power motor drives, power conditioning systems, high-energy laser systems, advanced aerospace and electro-optic sensors, space-based optical communications, nuclear technology, cutting-edge technology ventures into Defense and “NewSpace,” and a variety of disruptive technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work with GA-EMS Engineering staff to design, analyze, and implement core concepts in electronics, instrumentation, and hardware systems during concept development, prototype design, integration, and test phases for a variety of science and technology product development efforts. These encompass high-power motor drives, high energy laser systems, space systems, advanced sensors, laser communications, target tracking, laser beam control/pointing, signal/image processing, and instrumentation.
- Under general supervision and with regular review, the candidate will design, analyze, and troubleshoot electrical hardware systems in support of instrumentation and control efforts, including sensor integration, interpretation of schematics and cable designs.
- Document hardware and firmware architectures, configurations, and functions to optimize system performance for existing and new projects.
- Perform electrical and computer engineering analyses on systems and circuits, documenting findings thoroughly.
- Conduct hardware-level debugging using lab equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, DMMs).
- Develop and execute test plans and trade studies to validate designs and guide decision-making.
- Communicate test results and engineering findings clearly to team members and stakeholders.
- Support system bring-up, hardware validation, and data acquisition setup.
- Document electrical hardware and firmware architecture solutions, configurations, and functions to optimize performance for both existing systems and new projects, perform electrical and computer engineering analyses for systems and circuits, document findings, and communicate results to engineering staff.
Job Qualifications:
- Typically requires a bachelors or masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelors degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of analog and digital circuits design.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and cable layouts.
- Familiarity with a programming language such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, C or C++.
- Knowledge of communication protocols such as: I2C, SPI, UART, CAN
- Demonstrate application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving project environment.
- Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with engineering staff or professionals.
- Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment.
- Some travel and extended work schedules may be required.
- The submission of a cover letter with resume is desired.
Salary:$68,770 - $116,193
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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