Principal LabVIEW Embedded Engineer / Technical Lead
San Diego, CaliforniaOverview
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 Principal LabVIEW Embedded Engineer / Technical Lead 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 an Engineer to join our Electrical Technologies Embedded Systems team located in Rancho Bernardo. We are seeking a hands-on technical lead with deep LabVIEW expertise, strong software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to guide a team through complex hardware/software challenges. This position is ideal for a senior engineer who wants to stay close to the work — implementing scalable code, troubleshooting integrated systems, and making key technical decisions — while collaborating with program managers to deliver on program milestones. The successful candidate will report to the Instrumentations and Control manager and, alongside high-caliber colleagues, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of high-power electromagnetic systems, high-energy laser (HEL) systems, advanced airborne sensors, space-based laser and electro-optical communications systems, and a variety of other technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the technical lead:
- Make key technical decisions on architecture, tools, and implementation strategy.
- Break down work, assign tasks, and set priorities for the team.
- Determine schedules and milestones based on technical complexity and risk.
- Design and implement scalable, maintainable LabVIEW applications for data acquisition, test automation, and embedded systems, applying software engineering best practices: modular architecture, version control, automated testing, and code reviews.
- Troubleshoot and integrate complex systems with multiple I/O types (analog, digital, serial, CAN, Ethernet) and a variety of sensors.
- Analyze and resolve hardware/software issues using schematics, datasheets, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab tools.
- Collaborate with program managers and stakeholders to communicate risks, progress, and technical decisions — without taking on formal PM responsibilities.
- Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure compliance with industry and DoD standards where required.
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; nine (9) or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, seven (7) or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or four (4) or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Active or Ability to obtain DoD Security Clearance is required.
- Extensive LabVIEW development experience, including scalable code architecture and deployment.
- Strong software development fundamentals: modular design, version control workflows (Git), automated testing, documentation, and peer reviews.
- Proven experience leading technical efforts, including task assignment, prioritization, and scheduling based on technical complexity.
- Strong understanding of hardware fundamentals: schematics, PCB layouts, sensors, signal conditioning, and system-level interactions.
- Proven ability to diagnose and resolve system-level issues involving firmware, hardware, cables, and instrumentation.
- Experience with communication protocols such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, or similar.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to translate technical issues for non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
- 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 to enable an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals
- Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
- Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
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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