Staff Engineer, Systems Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and advanced sensor systems. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Engineer in our Agile Mission Systems Special Programs group in Poway, CA. Under general direction, this position is responsible for both project and systems engineering leadership with a focus on system design and payload integration, primarily on the MQ‑9A Block 1 platform in support of the Sky Range program.

As part of a small, highly dynamic organization, this role offers the opportunity to take ownership of project execution from concept through flight test, combining hands‑on systems engineering with day‑to‑day technical project leadership. This position has autonomy to define and execute the technical approach. The Project Engineer is expected to develop designs and implement solutions to complex engineering problems with minimal oversight.

Roles include management of high‑level goals, constraints, and key risks, plus engineering and leading the detailed technical work needed to achieve those objectives. As a technical project leader, the Project Engineer will lead cross functional teams, drive the resolution of complex engineering issues, and act as a primary technical interface with customers and internal stakeholders.

• Responsibilities span the full lifecycle of aircraft system development and integration, from early planning and proposals to requirements definition, design lead, integration, flight test, and sustainment.
• Assess technical scope and develop plans, estimates, and schedules, and execute programs in accordance with those plans, balancing technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Provide systems engineering and technical management for the development, fabrication, testing, integration, and maintenance of new or existing systems on GAASI UAS.
• Determine the technical objectives and solutions for advanced technical engineering problems.
• Perform system analysis, generate requirements, and develop system architectures and designs.
• Direct the activities of design or technical staff and lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff.
• Provide guidance on conflicting design and development requirements, challenging coordination requirements, and special material requirements.
• Coordinate and interface with customers, contractors, and engineering groups assigned to projects.
• Support the development of test plans and manage the integration, verification, and validation of systems through lab, ground, and flight test.
• Develop and present technical material for internal and external reviews; present reports at engineering meetings; participate in program reviews; and consult on complex technical problems.
• Represent the organization as the prime technical contact to customers and/or government regulatory agencies.
• Perform hands on troubleshooting and support sustainment activities in laboratory and flight test environments.

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

• 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: six or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, four or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates technical expertise through the 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 in a fast‑paced, evolving environment; apply them accurately; 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 be able to…