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 a fast-paced, hands-on engineering role where ideas move quickly from concept to hardware. You won’t just manage mechanism designs, you’ll create them, test them, break them, and make them better. If you want to work on cutting-edge aircraft, solve hard problems, and see your designs fly, this is your environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own Avionics and Electrical Systems from Concept to Flight
  • Lead the architecture, integration, and development of avionics and electrical systems for advanced unmanned air vehicles
• Architect solutions for:
  • Flight control computers and vehicle management systems
  • Power generation, distribution, and energy storage systems
  • Communications, datalinks, and networking hardware
  • Navigation systems (GPS/INS and alternatives)
  • Sensor integration (EO/IR, RF, mission payloads)
  • Autonomy and mission system interfaces
  • Invent, Integrate, Test, Repeat
  • Develop innovative, low-cost, high-reliability avionics solutions
  • Define system architectures that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and robustness
  • Rapidly iterate designs based on test data and operational feedback
• Drive Vehicle-Level Impact
  • Make key tradeoffs across power, weight, performance, reliability, cost, and mission effectiveness
  • Define and manage electrical and avionics performance margins (power budgets, thermal limits, bandwidth, latency, redundancy)
  • Ensure seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, mission systems, and sensors into the overall vehicle architecture
• Lead Technical Execution
  • Work with functional engineering teams (EE, software, controls, systems) to define and execute designs
  • Guide system-level analysis including power systems, EMI/EMC, thermal, and integration constraints
  • Establish design standards, architectures, and verification strategies
  • Understand technical risks and develop creative approaches to mitigating them
• Work at Speed
  • Operate in a rapid development environment with evolving requirements
  • Prioritize and execute across multiple concurrent efforts
  • Turn high-level concepts into executable designs and flight-ready systems quickly
• Collaborate Across the Ecosystem
  • Serve as the bridge between project execution and functional engineering teams (~50/50 project and technical leadership)
  • Manage suppliers and partners delivering avionics hardware, electronics, and subsystems
  • Coordinate technical efforts across design, integration, and test
• Lead and support customer reviews including SRR–PDR–CDR–TRR
  • Support proposal efforts, white papers, and next-generation program capture

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Engineering

Eligible for Employee Referral

0% - 25%

Full-Time Salary

California

Secret

98,100

Poway

Yes

171,398

Advanced Programs Electrical Project Engineer

• 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; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD.  May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a thorough 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 develop and communicate new concepts; 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 strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team; 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.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• A Professional Engineering License and original work published in professional engineering journals are desirable.

Desired Skills:

• Builder mindset
• Curious and inventive
• Comfortable with risk, iteration, and rapid change
• Motivated by seeing hardware fly and systems work

1000.00

Yes

Mid-Level (3-7 years)

Yes

Hybrid