Data Rights and Classification Project Manager

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.

We have an exciting opportunity within our Engineering Services organization for a Project Manager IV - Data Rights and Classification. This position will report to the Senior Engineering Manager of Systems Engineering Process, Tools, and Data Rights, and will lead both the Data Rights document review team as well as the Software License Review and International Trade Compliance (ITC) engineering classification team. The Data Rights document review team reviews technical documents and drawings to determine the appropriate Data Rights markings and assertions in order to protect GA-ASI and Subcontractor intellectual property as well as to ensure compliance with applicable FAR and DFARS regulations. The Software License Review and International Trade Compliance (ITC) engineering classification team is responsible for reviewing all third-party software (TPS) requests for license obligations in order to facilitate more informed licensing decisions as well as for determining ITAR and EAR classifications for engineering drawings as part of the drawing release and configuration management process. Regarding the ITC responsibility, this role will work to reduce the existing classification backlog while establishing a sustainable and efficient process for future classification work. The successful candidate will bring deep Data Rights and International Trade Compliance (ITC) experience within aerospace and defense and partner closely with the existing ITC organization, Engineering, Configuration Management, Information Technology Services (ITS), Data Management, Contracts, and other business stakeholders. A key objective will be to establish and formalize scalable, risk-based data rights and classification processes that maintain regulatory compliance while improving cycle time and Engineering execution. This includes simplifying and standardizing current processes, increasing reuse of existing classification determinations, integrating classification into the engineering product lifecycle, and leveraging Teamcenter/PLM data, OCR EASE, automation, and Artificial Intelligence where appropriate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the Data Rights document review team responsible for data rights determinations and assertions in accordance with FARS/DFARS regulations
• Lead the Software License Review and International Trade Compliance (ITC) engineering classification team responsible for software license obligations review as well as ITAR/EAR classification of engineering drawings.
• Establish priorities, workload management, and performance metrics to reduce the existing backlog and maintain sustainable processing times.
• Provide subject matter expertise in FARS/DFARS data rights regulations as well as ITAR/EAR classification, including USML categories, ECCNs, and EAR99 determinations.
• Coordinate with Contracts, Data Management, Program Management, and other stakeholders to resolve data rights concerns and to improve the data rights process as needed.
• Partner with the International Trade Compliance organization to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, company policies, and broader trade compliance objectives.
• Lead evaluation and redesign of the drawing classification process to simplify workflows, reduce manual activity, improve consistency, and establish an appropriate risk-based approach.
• Develop standardized classification methodologies, decision criteria, reference materials, and reusable classification libraries to reduce repetitive analysis.
• Integrate classification activities into Engineering development, Configuration Management, and drawing release processes.
• Collaborate with PLM, ITS, and Engineering stakeholders to evaluate opportunities to incorporate classification data and metadata within Teamcenter and other enterprise systems.
• Assess and optimize existing tools, including the Data Rights Database (DRD) and OCR EASE, and identify opportunities for workflow automation, Artificial Intelligence, intelligent search, and data analytics.
• Develop metrics to measure backlog reduction, cycle time, throughput, quality, rework, and reuse, and lead continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop and coach personnel and provide technical guidance as required.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive and export-controlled information.
• Other duties as assigned or required.