Engineer VIII

General Atomics and Affiliated Companies; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) invites a Senior Architect to own the end-to-end ground segment architecture for next-gen UAS programs in the San Diego area.

You will define CONOPS, interfaces, and partitioning between hardware, software, and networks to ensure scalable, secure, and interoperable systems. You will lead cross-domain interfaces with air vehicles, payloads, and enterprise teams, guiding ground segment development, testing, and deployment while ensuring safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor, Master, or PhD in engineering with progressive engineering experience.
• Degree in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience architecting complex distributed systems or C4ISR platforms.
• Strong background in systems engineering and architecture frameworks (MBSE/SysML preferred).
• Experience with cybersecurity architectures and RMF.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of the UAS ground control segment and GCS configurations.
• Define system-of-systems architecture linking airborne vehicles, payloads, datalinks, operators, and networks.
• Develop architectural artifacts (CONOPS, ICDs, trade studies) and interface control documents.

Skills

MBSE/SysML

C4ISR

Systems engineering

Cybersecurity architectures

Leadership

DoD clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

RMF

MBSE tools

Job description

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.

The Advanced Programs group has an exciting opportunity in San Diego, CA (Poway, CA) for a Mission Management & Control Architect supporting our next-generation advanced UAS programs. As a Senior Architect, the candidate is responsible for the end-to-end technical architecture, design, and integration of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ground segment, including ground control stations (GCS), mission planning systems, operator interfaces, data exploitation systems, communications interfaces, and enterprise connectivity.

This role leads the definition of requirements, interfaces, software/hardware partitioning, cybersecurity posture, resiliency, and scalability of the ground control and mission management function while ensuring seamless integration with airborne platforms, datalinks, satellite communications, and external command-and-control networks.

The architect serves as the technical authority for the ground segment across development, test, deployment, and sustainment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the architecture and design of the UAS ground control segment, including fixed, mobile, and deployable GCS configurations.
• Define system-of-systems architecture linking airborne vehicles, payloads, datalinks, operators, and enterprise networks.
• Develop architectural artifacts including CONOPS, logical/physical architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and trade studies.
• Establish modular, open-systems designs compliant with MOSA, OMS/UCI, FACE, and government interoperability frameworks.
• Drive partitioning between hardware, software, and network functions to meet performance, security, and growth objectives.
• Translate mission needs and operational CONOPS into technical requirements for the ground segment.
• Flow down requirements to subsystems and software components.
• Manage ground segment allocations for latency, bandwidth, reliability, cybersecurity, and human-machine interface (HMI).
• Lead cross-domain interface definition with air vehicle, payload, communications, and enterprise teams.
• Drive operator-centric GCS designs emphasizing usability, workload management, and mission effectiveness.
• Define crew station concepts, displays, controls, automation, and autonomy interfaces.
• Ensure compliance with human factors and safety standards.
• Lead integration of GCS hardware, mission software, simulators, and datalink interfaces.
• Support SIL/HIL labs, distributed test environments, and operational demonstrations.
• Define upgrade paths, spiral development strategies, and technology insertion plans.
• Serve as primary technical interface to customers, program leadership, and external partners for ground segment matters.
• Support proposals, technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and customer briefings.

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; 18 or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, 16 or more years of experience with a masters degree, or 13 or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Degree in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience architecting complex distributed systems or C4ISR platforms.
• Strong background in systems engineering and architecture frameworks (MBSE/SysML preferred).
• Experience with tactical datalinks, SATCOM, LOS/BLOS communications, and networked systems.
• Knowledge of government interoperability standards (e.g., OMS/UCI, FACE, STANAGs).
• Experience with cybersecurity architectures and RMF.
• Experience leading an engineering team or project
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment;
• Must have excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills. Must be able to distill complex engineering topics into concise presentation materials, and present effectively to customers, internal stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Must have a current DoD Secret clearance and a periodic reinvestigation, or an original adjudication date completed within the last 5 years
• Ability to obtain SAP access

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or technical management.
• Experience with autonomy frameworks and multi-vehicle operations.
• Familiarity with digital engineering environments and model-based acquisition.
• Experience designing expeditionary or mobile GCS solutions.
• Prior work on DoD or intelligence community programs.
• Background in safety-critical software and airworthiness considerations for control systems.