Aircraft Configuration and Structural Design Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 116,480 - 208,505; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in Poway, CA, seeks an Aircraft Configuration and Structural Design Engineer to develop new and modified aircraft layouts and lofts for Advanced Programs.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, perform configuration design and airframe synthesis, and execute CG calculations while collaborating across IPTs and suppliers to meet program requirements and DoD standards.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s/master’s/PhD in engineering and progressive experience.
• Broad application of engineering concepts and principles across related technical disciplines.
• Experience with configuration design, systems integration, and airframe development.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams on significant projects, from conceptual to production configuration.
• Loft Outer/Inner Mold Lines and generate surface models to support analyses (CFD, CEM, FEA).
• Document configurations and airframe designs, ensuring compliance with program requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with IPTs and suppliers to prepare/configure engineering solutions and reviews.
• Present information concisely for leadership reviews and status reporting.
• Mentor peers in aircraft configuration and subsystem keep-in/keep-out zoning and layouts.

Skills

Aircraft configuration design

System synthesis

IPT leadership

Lofting OML/IML

CG calculations

RF/IR signature reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

NX

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. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 perform/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 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: twelve or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, ten or more years of experience with a master's degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• 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 & Salary

Full‑Time Salary: 116,480 - 208,505