2nd Shift Urgent Field Support (UFS) Senior Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 81,080 - 141,650; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking a Weekend Shift Urgent Field Support (UFS) Senior Engineer for the Engineering Field Support group in Poway, CA.

The role requires solving complex, multidisciplinary engineering issues on fielded systems and delivering findings to customers and GA‑ASI staff. The ideal candidate has strong technical writing, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to work extended hours, lead teams, and obtain DoD security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or related field.
• Broad understanding of multi‑disciplinary engineering concepts and their practical application.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work extended hours or weekends as required.
• Ability to lead a team of professionals on semi‑routine tasks.

Responsibilities

• Work a weekend shift including an on‑call schedule for off‑hour support.
• Maintain technical system‑level knowledge of GA‑ASI aircraft, ground control stations, and related hardware.
• Direct investigations of anomalies and determine corrective action.
• Prepare engineering memorandums and presentations for customers and GA‑ASI staff.
• Coordinate with designers, test engineers, program management, and technicians.
• Travel and provide on‑location support as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Skills

Engineering concepts

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Technical writing

Communication

Team leadership

Security clearance

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering

Job description

Job Summary

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 for a Weekend Shift Urgent Field Support (UFS) Senior Engineer in our Engineering Field Support (EFS) group at GA-ASI in Poway, CA. UFS needs talented, driven, and adaptive engineers to keep our systems operational, one aircraft or Ground Control Station (GCS) at a time.

Under general supervision with limited review, this position is responsible for determining and developing effective approaches to quickly solve a wide range of difficult, multidisciplinary engineering problems encountered on fielded systems. This primarily involves creation of engineering troubleshooting, repair, or rework recommendations that may be novel or outside the scope of released technical documentation. Investigations are typically conducted in an expeditious manner with functional engineering departments to determine root cause and appropriate corrective action. After investigations are completed, findings and corrective actions are documented and communicated directly to our customers and engineering staff in accordance with contracted deliverables.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be able to work a weekend shift including an on‑call schedule for off‑hour support.
• This position works a 4‑10 schedule covering 10 hours each on 1st shift over the weekend; Friday – Monday with alternating.
• Work with UFS Team members on the standard work schedule to receive and hand‑off assignments.
• Support Operations Center activities including shift coverage during planned working hours.
• Obtain and maintain technical system‑level knowledge of GA‑ASI aircraft, ground control stations, and associated hardware, including related operational procedures and maintenance processes. Robust knowledge of systems and procedures is required to understand discrepancies and generate appropriate corrective action.
• Direct investigations of anomalies based on information provided by customers, available technical information, manuals, and standard scientific and engineering principles.
• Interface with design engineers, test engineers, program management, maintenance technicians, technical writers, pilots, and other professional staff to coordinate operational or maintenance workarounds, improved procedures, software updates, or hardware modifications as required in response to field incidents and anomalies.
• Author engineering memorandums and presentations for anomaly investigations to customers, GA‑ASI technical staff, and executive leadership. Memorandums are a primary deliverable and may be required under an emergency timeframe.
• Direct the activities of designers and technicians and potentially lead and direct the activities of less experienced professional staff.
• Represent the organization to GA‑ASI’s customers in describing solutions to technical issues associated with specific anomalies.
• Ensure that findings from any investigation are well‑documented, and that required platform improvements or workarounds are successfully passed to the appropriate team for development and inclusion, as applicable.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Travel and provide on‑location support if required. Most support by UFS is accomplished without the need for travel; however, on‑site support may sometimes be necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Observe all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; four or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or two or more years of experience with a master’s degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a broad understanding of multi‑disciplinary engineering concepts, principles, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and expanded knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must possess proficient technical writing skills. A writing sample may be requested.
• Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work extended hours or weekends, as required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret level or above security clearance.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to perform complex tasks in multiple engineering areas.
• Must be able to lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi‑routine tasks.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
  • MQ‑9A, MQ‑9B, MQ‑1C, Predator XP, Avenger, or other Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), to include engineering development, support, maintenance, or operations.
  • Flight line support or System Test and Qualification (ST&Q).
  • Design (Aero, Structures, Electrical, Propulsion, etc.).
  • Specific aircraft, engineering, or maintainer qualifications (e.g., Airframe and Powerplant).
  • Certification and Airworthiness.
  • Telemetry review and analysis.

Job Type

Full‑Time Salary

Salary Range

81,080 - 141,650

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