Senior Staff Systems Engineering - Avionics

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.

With limited consultative direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives and approaches for the analysis, development, integration, modernization, and sustainment of aircraft mechanical and propulsion systems.

Functions as a senior systems engineer and technical lead for assigned air vehicle systems, with emphasis on propulsion, airframe integration, and associated mechanical subsystems. Applies extensive aerospace or mechanical engineering knowledge to develop requirements, evaluate architectures and interfaces, assess engineering changes, and resolve complex technical problems throughout the system lifecycle.

Works closely with propulsion, mechanical design, structures, aerodynamics, electrical, avionics, software, systems integration, test, safety, and airworthiness organizations to translate operational needs, engineering analyses, and design constraints into coordinated system requirements and verification activities.

Provides technical leadership for assigned engineering efforts, mentors engineering staff, and represents assigned technical areas in discussions with program leadership, suppliers, customers, and government representatives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads systems engineering activities for assigned aircraft mechanical and propulsion systems, including requirements development, functional decomposition, allocation, interface definition, integration planning, and verification.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, and component specifications. Establishes traceability to stakeholder needs, parent requirements, engineering analyses, and applicable design constraints.

  Performs system-level assessments of propulsion integration, including engine and propeller interfaces, fuel delivery, lubrication, cooling, starting systems, engine controls, and interactions with aircraft electrical power generation, as applicable to the assigned configuration.

• Evaluates interfaces between propulsion and other aircraft systems, including airframe installation, structural loads, thermal management, electrical power, avionics, software, and operator controls and indications.
• Defines and coordinates functional behavior, operating constraints, and interface requirements for normal, degraded, and emergency operating conditions with the responsible engineering disciplines.
• Develops and maintains interface definitions and Interface Control Documents covering applicable mechanical, fluid, thermal, electrical, and data interfaces.
• Reviews engineering memoranda, design analyses, supplier documentation, and technical decisions to identify requirements, assumptions, constraints, and verification obligations. Maintains traceability to the applicable source documents and revisions.
• Coordinates technical assessments and trade studies addressing aircraft performance, propulsion integration, weight, thermal constraints, reliability, maintainability, cost, schedule, and technical risk.
• Evaluates proposed hardware, software, and mechanical changes for impacts to requirements, interfaces, aircraft performance, verification, regression testing, technical documentation, and configuration compatibility.
• Maintains configuration-specific requirements and technical baselines, including identifying and documenting differences between development, test, production, and fielded configurations.
• Reviews supplier specifications, interface data, analyses, and qualification evidence. Coordinates resolution of technical discrepancies and gaps with suppliers and responsible engineering organizations.
• Develops verification approaches using test, analysis, inspection, or demonstration. Reviews verification plans, procedures, and results for alignment with requirements and the applicable aircraft configuration.
• Maintains requirements-to-verification traceability and contributes to verification matrices, including identifying missing evidence, unresolved discrepancies, and additional qualification or regression needs.
• Participates in laboratory, propulsion test-rig, aircraft ground-test, and flight-test activities. Analyzes discrepancies between expected and observed system behavior and coordinates root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Works with safety, airworthiness, reliability, and maintainability specialists to identify applicable requirements and provide technical substantiation for their assessments.
• Prepares and presents technical material for requirements reviews, design reviews, test readiness reviews, technical interchange meetings, and other program reviews. Communicates technical risks, unresolved assumptions, and recommended actions.
• Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and peer review for other engineers.
• May lead multidisciplinary technical efforts and develops estimates, schedules, resource needs, and measurable completion criteria for assigned work.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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