Engineering Manager, Real-Time Controls and Instrumentation

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics is seeking an Electrical Engineering Manager for the Electrical Technologies Real-Time Controls & Instrumentation Team in Rancho Bernardo. You will lead the development of controls and instrumentation systems for HEL and related technologies, reporting to the manager of Instrumentation &Controls.

A strong background in LabVIEW, cRIO and real-time systems is essential. The role emphasizes architectural leadership, hands-on LabVIEW work, and cross-disciplinary collaboration

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in engineering or related field with nine+ years of progressive engineering experience.
• Strong experience with National Instruments LabVIEW, cRIO systems, LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA development.
• Ability to think architecturally and evaluate controls and software solutions at system level across hardware/software interfaces.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting skills across hardware, software, communications and subsystems.
• Ability to read and understand code in C# and C++, and support reviews in those languages.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and technically lead engineering projects from inception to completion.
• Develop, integrate, and test controls and instrumentation systems across product lines.
• Provide architectural leadership for multi-component control systems; guide interfaces, dependencies and maintainability.
• Lead troubleshooting across disciplines to identify root causes and coordinate cross-team resolution.
• Mentor engineers, perform design reviews, and support LabVIEW/cRIO development when needed.
• Communicate status, risks and recommendations to program leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Architectural thinking

System-level troubleshooting

Mentoring/leadership

DoD clearance

C#

C++

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in engineering or related field

Tools

LabVIEW

LabVIEW Real-Time

LabVIEW FPGA

cRIO

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide. We have an exciting opportunity for an Electrical Engineering (EE) Manager to join our Electrical Technologies Real-Time Controls & Instrumentation Team located in Rancho Bernardo. We are looking for someone with drive, talent, and experience in real-time controls, instrumentation, and software development who also thrives in a fast-paced, Research and Development (R&D) environment. The successful candidate will report to the Electrical Technologies Instrumentation & Controls Manager and, alongside high-caliber engineering and leadership staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of controls and instrumentation systems for High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, high‑power motor drives, power conditioning systems, advanced aerospace and electro-optic sensors, space-based optical communications, nuclear thermal propulsion, cutting-edge technology ventures into Defense and "NewSpace," and a variety of disruptive technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning, managing, and technical performance of an engineering unit through all phases of assigned project(s) from inception through completion.
• Work with GA-EMS Engineering staff in the development, implementation, integration, and test of controls and instrumentation systems across a variety of product lines and technology areas.
• Serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert for National Instruments cRIO systems, LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time, and LabVIEW FPGA, providing technical support, architectural guidance, and troubleshooting leadership to the engineering team.
• Provide architectural leadership for controls systems spanning multiple hardware and software components. Guide decisions involving system decomposition, interfaces, dependencies, integration, maintainability, and testability.
• Lead system-level troubleshooting efforts involving multiple engineering disciplines and software environments. Work across subsystem boundaries and coordinate engineers with specialized expertise toward root-cause identification and resolution.
• Lead and participate in technical, architecture, design, and code reviews.
• Provide technical mentorship and help engineers decompose problems, evaluate design approaches, understand system interactions, and develop effective solutions.
• Remain sufficiently hands-on to directly support LabVIEW/cRIO development, debugging, integration, and troubleshooting when required.
• Understand the logic, interfaces, and data flow of text-based software such as C#, C++, or similar languages sufficiently to support technical reviews, troubleshooting, and engineers working in those areas.
• Apply and promote sound software architecture and design principles including modularity, abstraction, interfaces, object-oriented concepts, separation of concerns, maintainability, and testability.
• Participate in engineering planning, staffing, estimation, and scheduling activities.
• Participate in the attraction, selection, retention, mentoring, and development of engineering talent.
• Communicate technical status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to engineering and program leadership.
• Represent the organization as a technical contact on assigned programs and interact with internal and external personnel on controls and instrumentation matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

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, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as nine or more years of progressively complex engineering experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Strong experience with National Instruments LabVIEW and cRIO systems, including LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA development.
• Demonstrated ability to think architecturally and evaluate controls and software solutions at the system level, including component responsibilities, interfaces, dependencies, integration, maintainability, and testability.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting skills, with the ability to reason across hardware, software, communications, instrumentation, and subsystem boundaries.
• Ability to read and understand the logic, interfaces, and data flow of software implemented in text-based programming languages such as C#, C++, or similar languages. Expert-level development proficiency in these languages is not required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly, mentor engineers, provide constructive technical guidance, and lead engineering efforts.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines, programs, customers, and management.
• Experience with C# and object-oriented application development is desirable but not required.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering activities and developing technical talent through technical leadership, mentoring, project leadership, and/or people management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.
• Some travel may be required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 100,290 - 183,098