Payload Integration Project Engineer

GA-ASI is seeking a Payload Integration Project Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, test, validation, deployment, and sustainment of communications intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) payloads on the MQ-9A aircraft.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical focal point for integrating and rearchitecting a suite of demonstrated RF sensing capabilities onto the platform baseline to optimize performance, reliability, and functionality. These capabilities include communications and radar signal detection, characterization, direction finding, geolocation, recording, analysis, and data dissemination. This position will coordinate with RF, electrical, mechanical, software, cybersecurity, networking, aircraft integration, test, manufacturing, and program management teams.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the technical execution and roadmap for select COMINT and ELINT payloads integrated onto the MQ-9 platform.
• Define and manage payload, aircraft, subsystem, and interface requirements.
• Lead payload architecture, trade studies, risk assessments, and technical analyses.
• Define and manage mechanical, electrical, thermal, RF, antenna, data, network, timing, cybersecurity, and ground-support interfaces.
• Coordinate integration of RF sensing, direction-finding, geolocation, mission-library, recording, processing, and dissemination capabilities.
• Lead payload design reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, Test Readiness Reviews, and flight-test readiness activities.
• Develop and manage integration, verification, and validation plans for laboratory, ground, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight-test environments.
• Lead the development of test procedures, test reports, discrepancy investigations, and corrective actions.
• Support aircraft installation, electromagnetic compatibility and interference assessments, ground testing, flight testing, operational evaluation, and deployment.
• Analyze test and flight data to verify performance and resolve technical issues.
• Coordinate configuration management, change management, manufacturing transition, obsolescence management, and sustainment activities.
• Provide technical leadership and collaboration with our integrating industry partners of these technologies.
• Support program planning, schedules, estimates, proposals, technical papers, customer presentations, and business-development activities.