Project Engineer Payload Integration

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in remotely piloted aircraft, tactical reconnaissance radars, and advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

Agile Mission Systems (AMS) at GA-ASI in San Diego, CA is a growing center of excellence where innovation meets mission impact. We bring together high-performing technical experts and future leaders to develop, integrate, and field cutting‑edge mission systems that meet the evolving needs of warfighters and decision‑makers. You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team to drive strategic objectives, develop customer‑facing relationships, and architect solutions that bring complex systems of systems together—delivering real‑world mission outcomes.

The Payload Integration group addresses challenging problems by developing, integrating, fielding, supporting, and advancing mature technologies into payload solutions for GA-ASI platforms. Current payloads include Multi‑Mode Radars, EO/IR systems, Advanced IRST, Electronic Warfare systems, Countermeasures, and Signal Intelligence sensors to deliver cutting‑edge solutions to our customers.

We’re seeking a Project Engineer to lead and shape the technical roadmap for our portfolio of industry‑leading radar technologies. These advanced radar payloads support critical missions including airborne surveillance, maritime domain awareness, UAS detection and collaboration, and other emerging capabilities. As Project Engineer, you’ll play a key role in both sustaining current products and driving the development of next‑generation modes, applications, and solutions.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in the operational use, design, and manufacturing of radar or RF systems. This role requires technical leadership across hardware integration, software development, communication systems, data dissemination, and rigorous testing—all in support of a growing customer base and an expanding capability set.

• Demonstrated ability to develop expertise and become the subject matter expert and technological champion in the relevant capabilities
• Understanding of change management and manufacturing principles to maintain a product portfolio
• Transitions high TRL demonstrated payloads into mature payload solutions for long‑term mission capabilities across GA‑ASI platforms
• Mature prototype level payloads through manufacturable Low‑Rate Initial Production (LRIP) with the ability to scale to high‑rate production
• Leads diverse multi‑function engineering teams, meeting critical program milestones, and successfully executing programs within the defined cost and schedule
• Represents programs as the face of engineering ensuring consistent and appropriate messaging to internal and external stakeholders
• Supports engineering estimates and proposals during business development and shaping activities
• Develops program plans, estimates, schedules and executes programs to ensure programmatic and technical success
• Performs system analysis, trade studies, author technical white papers, and generates customer technical data packages
• Completes, documents, and presents System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
• Represents company at technical reviews, customer meetings and system level integrations
• Supports mission architecture implementations and designs
• Supports payload compatibility and enhancement for initiatives such as Open Architectures (OMS, FACE, CESMO, etc.), Autonomy & Artificial Intelligence, fusion, track management, and other interoperability capabilities
• Supports development of test plans and manages the integration, verification and validation of new capabilities and technologies
• Supports development of business/strategic objectives and system concept‑of‑operations

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience: nine or more years with a Bachelors degree, seven or more years with a Masters degree, or four or more years with a…