Aircraft Configuration and Structural Design Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a world leader in unmanned aircraft and radar systems, is seeking an Aircraft Configuration and Structural Design Engineer to join the AeroStructures Design Team in Poway, CA.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Aircraft and Special Projects Engineering, the role focuses on developing new and modified aircraft layouts and lofts for advanced programs. The ideal candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams, loft OML/IML surfaces, perform sizing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, masters, or PhD in engineering or related field with progressive experience.
• Ability to apply engineering concepts across disciplines.
• Experience with NX, Catia or Creo.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work extended hours and obtain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams on major efforts.
• Loft aircraft OML/IML and create surface models.
• Document configurations and interface studies to standards.
• Perform sizing calculations and trade studies with IPTs.
• Prepare and present engineering design solutions to leadership.

Skills

Aircraft configuration

Leadership

CFD/FEA

Surface modeling

IPT collaboration

MS Office

Materials knowledge

RF/IR signature

System integration

Trade studies

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

Tools

NX CAD

Catia

Creo

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.

Job Summary

We have an exciting career opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced Aircraft Configuration and Structural Design Engineer position within our AeroStructures Design Team located in Poway, CA. This position will report to the Senior Manager of Aircraft and Special Projects Engineering and will contribute towards the development of new and/or modifications to Advanced Programs aircraft layouts and lofts for both unclassified and classified pursuits.

• Self-starter and detail oriented.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on a significant effort, such as serving as a configuration and/or air vehicle lead for conceptual efforts at a minimum and up to detailed configuration developments.
• Expert-level experience with aircraft configuration design, sizing, and system synthesis.
• Experience lofting aircraft Outer Mold Lines (OMLs) and Inner Mold Line (IML) flow paths with the ability to create numerous associated surface models to support functional team analyses (CFD, CEM, FEA), including scaled wind tunnel models.
• Document configuration and airframe designs and interface studies using appropriate information sourced from various inputs; ensuring compliance with engineering principles, program requirements, military, and company standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) required.
• Fundamental knowledge of composite and metallic materials and structural joints.
• Fundamental knowledge of designing for RF and IR signature reduction to improve air vehicle survivability (shaping, fan face obscuration, materials and treatments, edges, control surfaces, hardware and systems integrations and provisions, interfaces, steps and gaps, transitions, etc.).
• Broad based knowledge of aircraft systems integration and their corresponding system functions and interactions.
• Experience executing conceptual trades such as engine selection, propulsion path layout, planform selection, control effector layout, landing gear layouts, fuel system integration, weapons integration, mass properties and Center of Gravity (CG) calculations with recommended stability margins, etc.
• Experience leading technical reviews.
• Capable of working within and influencing cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPT), interfacing with IPT leadership, suppliers, and other technical disciplines to independently prepare/status and/or lead the preparation of configuration and /or engineering design solutions to challenging problems.
• Can accept broad objectives with reasonable deadlines, but establishes and communicates the tasks required and how they should be completed.
• Must demonstrate the ability to document and present information in a concise manner appropriate for leadership review.
• Create/review proposals and/or marketing concepts and ensuring a balanced execution/risk posture given affordability, competitiveness, performance, and strategic objectives.
• Ability to multi-task and work numerous efforts ranging from configuration layout and lofting of air vehicles, to coordination/execution of airframe structural designs, to reviewing / developing / improving methods, tools and standards for air vehicle and airframe developments across programs.
• Working with the Senior Manager to mentor and develop peers with the capability to configure aircraft and provision for subsystem keep-in and keep-out zones, perform airframe layouts and generate OML lofts from conceptual and up to production quality.
• Working closely with our Flight Technologies organization to performing/support aircraft sizing calculations using industry accepted references and methods.

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

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or ten or more years with a PhD.
• Must have a complete understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; capable of expanding knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and able to apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Experience with Engineering Tools: NX or other parametric CAD tools (e.g. Catia, Creo).
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 128,130 - 229,358