Airframe Project Development Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

High visibility

Professional development

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking an Advanced Airframe Project Engineer to lead advanced airframe and structural architectures from concept through flight demonstration.

You will shape the technical direction of next‑gen unmanned aircraft while mentoring engineers and guiding cross‑functional teams. You will influence multi‑year roadmaps, coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing, and ensure robust, producible solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in engineering or related field; progressive engineering experience.
• Demonstrated leadership on complex aircraft airframe/structural systems.
• Hands-on experience with composite structures (design, stress, M&P, manufacturing).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead airframe product development and project leadership from concept to flight.
• Define requirements, SOWs, and performance measures for airframe development.
• Drive design trades and ensure robust, certifiable solutions.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, suppliers, and flight test to meet objectives.
• Mentor engineers and lead cross-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Airframe leadership

Structural analysis

DFMA

Program leadership

Mentoring engineers

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

PLM tools

CAD tools

Excel/Project

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 are seeking a highly accomplished Advanced Airframe Project Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader within our Advanced Aircraft Engineering (AAE) organization. In this role, you will be a recognized authority for advanced airframe and structural architectures, guiding solutions from early requirements and concept development through detailed design, integration, test, and flight demonstration. You will shape the technical direction of next‑generation unmanned aircraft structures while leading cross‑functional efforts and mentoring other engineers. Join a team that is defining the future of unmanned aviation and delivering transformational capabilities to our customers.

Opportunity

• Serve as a companywide technical leader and subject matter expert in advanced airframe and structural systems.
• Influence multi year product and technology roadmaps for next generation unmanned aircraft.
• Lead complex, high visibility efforts that span multiple programs, disciplines, and suppliers.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent while collaborating closely with senior technical and business leadership.
• Make an enduring impact on GA-ASI’s unmanned aerial systems portfolio and competitive position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Airframe Product Development & Project Leadership
• Act as the principal technical authority for complex airframe/structures subsystem projects, from concept through flight demonstration.
• Define and manage system and subsystem requirements, internal statements of work, and technical performance measures for advanced airframe development.
• Drive conceptual and preliminary design trades (weight, cost, manufacturability, survivability, maintainability) and make recommendations that have long term impact on program and product strategy.
• Provide senior technical oversight and review of structural design, loads, stress, materials & processes, and test activities to ensure robust, certifiable, and producible solutions.
• Champion the development and integration of new structural concepts, materials, and processes into operational systems.

Supplier and Manufacturing Coordination

• Own the technical strategy and content for airframe structure suppliers, including statements of work, technical data packages, design standards, and acceptance criteria.
• Champion design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) and ensure structural concepts are optimized for rate production, cost, and quality.
• Oversee the transition of advanced designs to manufacturing, resolving complex build and integration issues and driving continuous improvement with internal and external partners.
• Coordinate closely with Manufacturing, Tooling, Quality, Supply Chain, Systems, and Flight Test to ensure integrated solutions that meet performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

Team and Project Management

• Build and lead cross disciplinary teams (Aerostructures Design, Loads, Analysis, M&P, Survivability, Manufacturing, Tooling, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, Flight Test, Program Management) to achieve project and program objectives.
• Develop and execute tactical plans aligned with program schedules, budgets, and multi year technical roadmaps for advanced airframe technologies.
• Proactively manage project scope, technical risk, and cross program structural challenges; advise program leadership on structural risk, opportunity, and trade space.
• Mentor and develop engineers across design, analysis, and manufacturing disciplines; promote best practices, knowledge sharing, and technical rigor in advanced airframe development.
• Participate in the planning, attraction, and retention of key technical talent within the airframe structures domain.

Communication and Documentation

• Interact with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and customers, to resolve technical issues and influence program direction.
• Prepare and deliver high quality technical presentations, design reviews, and documentation for critical internal and customer milestones.
• Represent GA-ASI as a recognized technical authority in advanced airframe development, including participation in customer forums, industry working groups, and technical reviews as appropriate.
• Contribute to the definition of long term technical objectives and roadmaps for designated airframe systems and related technologies.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• High visibility and influence on next generation UAS architectures.
• Professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.
• Collaborative, inclusive culture and hybrid work environment.

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; eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex aircraft airframe/structural systems.
• Hands on experience with composite structures (design, stress, M&P, and/or manufacturing).
• Proven ability to lead multi discipline engineering efforts and make high impact technical decisions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; comfortable interfacing with senior customers and leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and Excel; experience with PLM/CAD/analysis tools is a plus.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 140,940 - 252,293