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Salary
≈ $139k – $274k per year (Estimated)
Location
In office (San Diego)
Seniority
Architect
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H-1B filings in 12 months: 1

Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 4, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 28, 2026. General Atomics scores A on the Alion truth index.

Overview
Company
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Profile match
Headquartered in San Diego, California, General Atomics is a prominent defense and diversified technologies corporation specializing in advanced aerospace and energy systems. The company develops and manufactures industry-defining remotely piloted aircraft, including the Predator and Reaper series, alongside electromagnetic aircraft launch systems and airborne surveillance technologies. It also remains a pioneer in high-energy physics, operating the largest magnetic fusion research facility in the United States and driving critical innovations in nuclear power.
Backed by FACIT
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) Chief Engineer provides technical leadership and engineering direction for the development, integration, qualification, production, and sustainment of EMALS and its associated subsystems. This position establishes and maintains the technical baseline, leads resolution of complex engineering issues, and ensures that program products meet customer, contractual, safety, quality, cost, and schedule requirements.

The Chief Engineer serves as the primary technical authority for the program and works across engineering disciplines, program management, manufacturing, test, quality, supply chain, customers, and external partners. The role requires strong systems-engineering judgment, effective communication with senior leadership and customers, and the ability to make sound technical decisions in a complex, highly regulated environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as the senior technical authority for the EMALS program and provide overall engineering leadership.
  • The candidate may also act as a Deputy Chief Engineer for the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system.
  • Establish, maintain, and control the system technical baseline, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, analyses, verification methods, and configuration.
  • Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across areas such as:
    • Systems engineering
    • Power electronics and energy storage
    • Controls and software
    • Electromagnetics and linear motor technology
    • Mechanical and structural systems
    • Thermal management
    • Safety and reliability
    • Manufacturing and maintainability
    • Test and evaluation
  • Direct the development and execution of technical plans, including design reviews, qualification activities, verification and validation, and system integration.
  • Provide technical direction for resolving complex problems involving system performance, reliability, safety, producibility, maintainability, and operational effectiveness.
  • Assess technical risks, develop mitigation plans, and communicate status and recommendations to program and company leadership.
  • Ensure engineering work complies with applicable customer requirements, contractual commitments, company processes, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Lead technical interchange meetings and communicate system performance, risks, decisions, and recommendations to customers and senior stakeholders.
  • Review and approve key engineering products, analyses, specifications, test procedures, reports, and technical dispositions.
  • Coordinate system-level interfaces with aircraft, shipboard, electrical, control, launch, and support systems.
  • Support proposal development, technology planning, cost and schedule estimates, make-or-buy decisions, and business development activities.
  • Partner with manufacturing and operations to ensure designs are producible, supportable, and suitable for transition to production.
  • Promote disciplined systems engineering, configuration management, risk management, and lessons-learned practices.
  • Mentor engineers and technical leaders and help develop the organization’s engineering capability.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

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

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