Aircraft Structures Design Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 105,890 - 189,545; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), located in Poway, CA, seeks an Aircraft Structures Design Engineer to develop high-performance component and assembly designs for new and modified air vehicles, payload integrations, and advanced concepts.

The role focuses on designing, validating, and documenting primary and secondary structural designs using composite and metallic materials and finite element analysis tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering with extensive experience in aerospace structural design.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEM) and hand calculations.
• Ability to obtain DoD security clearance and work with DoD standards.
• Strong documentation and packaging skills for Product Definition Packages.
• Hands-on aerospace manufacturing experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create, review, and maintain design packages.
• Perform airframe structural layouts, sizing, and analyses.
• Document designs and interface studies for leadership.
• Lead preparation of engineering design solutions within an IPT.
• Support prototype manufacturing and integration activities.
• Ensure compliance with GD&T, AsMEs Y14 standards, and MBOD.

Skills

Aircraft structural design

Finite element analysis

Technical documentation

IPT collaboration

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance

Model Based Definition

Leadership communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

NX

Creo

Catia

SolidWorks

Fibersim

Catia CW

NX Simcenter

Creo Simulate

Nastran

Abaqus FE tools

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, experienced Aircraft Structures Design Engineer within our AeroStructures Design Team located in Poway, CA. The position will develop high performance component and assembly designs for new and/or modifications to existing air vehicles, payload integrations, and advanced technology concepts. It focuses on designing, validating, and documenting aircraft primary and secondary structural designs using composite and metallic materials and finite element analysis tools.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Self‑starter and detail oriented.
• Create, review, and maintain design packages.
• Document designs and interface studies using appropriate information sourced from various inputs.
• Perform airframe structural layouts, sizing, and detail analyses to validate structural load paths and strength margins in a rapid‑paced environment.
• Deliver high‑quality, error‑free designs using concise documentation; ensuring compliance with engineering principles, military, and company standards.
• Assignments will include conceptual assembly / part design, detail assembly / part design, primary structural layout, trade‑study analysis, as well as weight and cost sensitivity efforts.
• General oversight and/or hands‑on involvement during the manufacture of prototype hardware at product manufacturing and integration sites.
• Maintain and improve company standards and design guides after completion of each assignment.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance and drawing standards, including Model Based Definition; e.g., ASME Y14.1, Y14.2, Y14.5, Y14.37, and Y14.41.
• Working knowledge of classical and numerical (finite‑element) stress analysis methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Fundamental knowledge of composite and metallic materials and structural joints.
• Passion for mentoring less experienced engineers and working with other designers to effectively execute designs.
• Capable of working within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment, interfacing with IPT leadership, suppliers, and other technical disciplines to independently prepare/status and/or lead the preparation of engineering design solutions to challenging problems through the development of Product Definition Packages.
• Accept broad objectives with reasonable deadlines, but establishes and communicates the tasks required and how they should be completed.
• Demonstrate the ability to document and present information in a concise manner appropriate for leadership review.

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: nine or more years with a bachelor’s, seven or more years with a master’s, or four or more years with a PhD. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education.
• Complete understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory; demonstrated broad application of those concepts and ability to expand knowledge in related specialties.
• Experience includes classical hand calculations (first‑order structural sizing), finite element analysis, free‑body analysis, and Mathcad, MATLAB, or Excel.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly, apply them accurately, and 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.
• Ability to document, trade, and communicate the pros and cons of structural designs based on performance, Design For Manufacturability, and Design For Cost.
• Hands‑on aircraft, aerospace, automotive, or other manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Metal and composite part design, fabrication, and repair experience.
• Willingness to work extended hours as required.
• Experience with engineering tools:
  • NX, Creo or other parametric CAD tools (e.g., Catia, SolidWorks, Fibersim, or Catia CW)
  • Secondary tools: NX Simcenter, Creo Simulate, Nastran, or Abaqus FE tools.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.

Job Type: Full‑Time Salary

Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545