Systems Engineer - Payloads

Job Summary

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.

With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis, development, integration, and implementation of engineering solutions for designated systems, subsystems, capabilities, or projects/programs.

Functions as a senior technical contributor and may serve as a technical lead for assigned engineering activities. Applies broad systems engineering knowledge and demonstrated domain expertise to resolve complex technical problems, develop and maintain requirements and system architectures, evaluate interfaces and integration impacts, support verification and validation activities, and coordinate engineering activities across functional disciplines.

Participates in planning and execution throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition and decomposition, architecture development, preliminary and final design reviews, integration, qualification, test, fielding, and sustainment.

Works closely with engineering disciplines, program management, customers, suppliers, and government representatives and may represent the organization as a technical point of contact for assigned systems, subsystems, or capabilities.

This position will have particular emphasis on payload and weapons integration, along with supporting environmental requirements and qualification activities for unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground systems.

• Determines technical objectives and approaches for assigned systems, subsystems, capabilities, or engineering projects.
• Serves as a technical lead or subject matter resource for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Performs systems engineering activities throughout the system development lifecycle, including:
• Requirements development, decomposition, allocation, and traceability.
• Functional and physical architecture development.
• Interface definition and management.
• Trade studies and technical assessments.
• Verification and validation planning.
• Integration and test support.
• Technical risk identification and mitigation.
• Leads or supports the integration of payloads, sensors, mission equipment, and/or weapon systems onto complex aerospace or unmanned aircraft platforms.
• Evaluates payload and weapon integration impacts across aircraft, avionics, electrical power, mechanical, software, data link, ground control, safety, and test organizations.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, component, and interface requirements.
• Supports development and maintenance of interface control documents, specifications, system architectures, and other systems engineering technical data.
• Supports environmental requirements definition, allocation, qualification planning, and verification, including environmental considerations associated with externally and internally mounted equipment.
• Coordinates environmental requirements with design, structural, mechanical, electrical, test, airworthiness, safety, suppliers, and other engineering organizations.
• Supports evaluation of environmental qualification considerations such as temperature, vibration, shock, altitude, humidity, electromagnetic effects, and other applicable operating environments.
• Participates in and presents engineering material at technical interchange meetings and major program reviews such as SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR/FDR, TRR, and related technical reviews.
• Works with multidisciplinary engineering organizations to identify and resolve complex integration issues.
• Evaluates proposed engineering changes for system-level impacts and ensures appropriate requirements, interfaces, architecture, verification, and documentation are updated.
• Supports system integration, laboratory testing, ground testing, and flight testing as required.
• Interfaces with customers, subcontractors, suppliers, and government representatives on assigned technical matters.
• Provides technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineering staff.
• May coordinate the activities of other engineers or small multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Supports development of technical estimates, engineering plans, schedules, risks, and resource needs.
• Contributes to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, methods, and technical products.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices with limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis,…