Aircraft Structures Design Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in Poway, CA, seeks an experienced Aircraft Structures Design Engineer to craft high-performance primary and secondary structures using both composite and metallic materials.

You will validate designs with analytical methods and integrated finite element tools, and produce product definition packages for air vehicles, payload integrations, and advanced concepts.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in engineering or related technical discipline with progressive experience (7+ years with MS, 4+ with PhD).
• Experience with structural sizing, FEA, free-body analysis, and Mathcad/MATLAB/Excel.
• Proficiency in GD&T and ASME Y14 series drawing standards.

Responsibilities

• Create, review, and maintain design packages for airframes and components.
• Perform airframe structural layouts, sizing, and analyses to validate load paths and margins.
• Document designs and interface studies from multiple inputs, ensuring compliance with standards.

Skills

Self-starter

Detail oriented

Mentoring

IPT teamwork

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

NX

Creo

Catia/SolidWorks

NX Simcenter

Abaqus

Nastran

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. This position will develop high performance component and assembly designs for new and/or modifications to existing air vehicles, payload integrations, and advanced technology concepts. The position focuses on designing, validating, and documenting aircraft primary and secondary structural designs using both composite and metallic materials. Design by analysis methods, which include the use of CAD and integrated finite element tools to develop high performance structures.

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.
• Position requires proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance and drawing standards, including Model Based Definition; e.g., ASME Y14.1, ASME Y14.2, ASME Y14.5, ASME Y14.37, and ASME Y14.41.
• Position requires working knowledge of classical and numerical (Finite Element) stress analysis methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) required.
• 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.
• 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.

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; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four 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.
• Experience must include classical hand calculations (first order structural sizing), finite element analysis, free-body analysis, and Mathcad, MATLAB, or Excel.
• 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.
• Ability to document, trade and communicate pro/cons of structural designs based on. performance/Design For Manufacturability / Design For Cost.
• Hands on aircraft, aerospace, automotive, or other manufacturing ability considered a plus.
• Metal and composite part design, fabrication, and repair experience.
• Able 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