Staff Systems Engineer

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.

This role will be responsible for coordinating and leading the development and execution of an overall program test and evaluation master plan. Assignments are normally outlined in terms of overall objectives and anticipated results. Work is reviewed at milestones or at completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. This position is responsible for documenting plans and findings, communicating results to engineering staff, and making technical presentations. The position will coordinate segments of a specific project and may have frequent inter-organization and customer contact on difficult technical issues. The position provides technical leadership and design guidance based on system-level requirements to matrixed team members. As IPT lead, the role will involve regular interaction with and leadership of a team of engineers from test and other disciplines, along with subject matter experts from various support organizations within and outside the company. This position supports UAS/aircraft flight and ground test activities, provides guidance for the successful resolution of engineering problems, and serves as a consulting resource for engineering knowledge.

DUTES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for generation, programmatic coordination and execution of the contents of the Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP).
• Provide technical leadership and ownership of the system verification and validation process
• Provide systems engineering support for the follow activities:
  • Understand technical risks at the beginning of the program and identify test approaches to reduce risk in an efficient manner.
  • Establish objectives for each test event, which are tied to areas or risk or uncertainty, and lead identification of test facilities, test configuration, test instrumentation, test result analysis, etc to efficiently achieve those objectives.
  • Be willing to continuously refine and revise the TEMP to ensure it is aligned with current program technical challenges and schedule and budget constraints.
  • Develop innovative but practical solutions to verifying system requirements and capabilities.
  • Lead a team that evaluates and guides verification activities inclusive of inspection, analysis, demonstration, and test methodologies.
  • Act as primary technical representative to the customer for all test activities.
  • Lead a team of functional engineers responsible for planning, execution and analysis of development tests, ground tests, SIL tests and flight tests. Examples of included activities includes wind tunnel tests, propulsion tests, separation tests, software V&V tests, ground and flight tests.
• Provide IPT engineering support in conjunction with program management as follows:
  • Work with the program team to define work scope, deliverables, budget estimates (NRE, materials, travel), and schedule for current and future tasking to support IRAD and customer program(s).
  • Work with the functional engineering managers to ensure priorities are well defined and resource allocations are planned to ensure staffing is adequate to meet schedule.
  • Support development of proposal content for additional scope or future programs including technical approaches and cost estimates.
  • Define status milestones and due dates to keep development on track and ensure management awareness of task summaries, schedule status, budget status, and technical issues as needed.
  • Direct the activities of engineers, designers, technicians and also the activities of less experienced professional staff.
• Represent the Chief Engineer’s office at design reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) as follows:
  • Attend design reviews and weigh-in on the technical, schedule and budget needs of the program.
  • Coordinate with functional design engineers from various technical disciplines to solve relevant design issues (e.g. Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Communications, Flight Technologies, Structures, etc.…) and keep design efforts on track and within program scope.
  • Act as a technical representative for customer and management meetings by presenting technical content at design reviews (e.g. Certification Panels, SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, etc.…).
  • Work with program managers to provide technical coordination of vendors and suppliers by ensuring SOWs and technical specifications are written and correct.
  • Coordinate meetings and technical reviews with responsible design engineers and subcontractors.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Balance customer and Company input to assigned tasks and work with program leadership to resolve any time those are in conflict.
• Observe all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

• 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; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to demonstrate extensive technical expertise and 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 with some experience in project leadership.
• 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 enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals, and capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
• Should have a basic understanding of program management concepts in order to effectively communicate program direction to the technical team and vice versa.
• Must be customer focused
• Must be able to formulate plans for the development of innovative new designs and/or to resolve advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Must be able to work extended hours when required in order to meet deadlines.
• Must be able to travel to flight test facilities in the United States as required.