Senior Software/Firmware Systems Engineer and Architect

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.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Systems Engineer to join our team located in San Diego, CA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Systems Engineering & Architecture Leadership

• Lead software and firmware systems engineering activities for complex, real-time embedded and mission-critical systems.
• Serve as the software/firmware system architect, defining end-to-end architectures and allocating functionality between hardware, firmware, and software.
• Develop and manage systems engineering artifacts related to software and firmware, including requirements, use cases, interface control documents, data/interface definitions, architecture descriptions, technical baselines, and verification and validation plans.
• Use MBSE and SysML/UML tools to:
  • Capture and decompose system, subsystem, and lower-level software/firmware requirements.
  • Develop and maintain system models
  • Support design trades and system behavior/performance characterization
• Provide technical guidance to systems engineering staff and integrated product teams; mentor and support the development of junior systems engineers.
• Serve as a key technical contributor and present technical content at internal and customer reviews.

• Lead the definition and creation of documentation of the software/firmware architecture needed for the program.
• Understand and analyze system-level requirements and operational use cases.
• Identify required software/firmware functions and performance characteristics.
• Define interfaces between software, firmware, hardware, and external systems.
• Work closely with software and firmware development teams to support their design, implementation, and testing of the software/firmware in accordance with the defined architecture.
• Ensure developers have clear requirements and interface definitions to facilitate feedback on feasibility, complexity, and implementation risks.
• Incorporate developer feedback and lessons learned from design and integration into updates of the architecture and requirements.
• Maintain architectural coherence, traceability, and alignment with system requirements and developer led design.

• Support the development of integration and test plans and procedures for software/firmware and system-level verification and validation.
• Focus on requirements verification and validation against the defined architecture, interface verification, and end-to-end functional behavior.
• Feed lessons learned from lab and field testing back into the architecture, requirements, and test plans.
• Participate in test readiness reviews, anomaly documentation, root-cause analysis, and resolution.
• Ensure that architecture, requirements, and test artifacts remain consistent in a digital engineering environment.

• Collaborate with program management, software/firmware developers, and other functional teams on design, integration, and test activities.
• Participate in and present at program design and readiness reviews throughout the lifecycle.
• Interface with customers to understand needs and communicate technical status.
• Generate technical documentation and presentations that will be used by other engineering disciplines to support programs, proposals, and internal development opportunities.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies; work safely in accordance with established procedures