Gray Eagle Project 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), a world leader in remotely piloted aircraft and radar systems, is seeking a Project Engineer to provide system-level technical leadership and project management for the MQ‑1C Gray Eagle platform across air vehicle, ground control station, datalinks, payloads, mission systems and production.

With limited direction, you will guide technical decisions, coordinate across disciplines, manage risks, and may lead a team of professionals; travel up to

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors, masters, or PhD in engineering or a related field with progressive engineering experience.
• Experience leading projects or technical teams in complex, multidisciplinary systems.
• Ability to work with Systems Engineering concepts and cross-functional groups.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and obtain DoD secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership and project engineering for the MQ‑1C Gray Eagle platform.
• Guide resolution of complex technical issues balancing customer needs and program objectives.
• Lead technical planning, scope definition, cost estimates, and cross-discipline coordination.
• Perform system-level assessments and trade studies for upgrades and obsolescence management.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to meet cost, schedule, and performance goals.
• Represent the organization as a prime technical contact in meetings and reviews.
• Lead proposal and capture activities for new opportunities.
• Mentor staff and provide technical direction on platform projects.

Skills

Strong communication

Project leadership

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

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.

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.

With limited direction, this Project Engineering position provides system‑level technical leadership and technical project management for the MQ‑1C Gray Eagle platform across the air vehicle, ground control station, datalinks, payloads, mission systems, and production. The Project Engineer works in the Gray Eagle Platform Engineering group and partners closely with the Systems Engineering and Software Integration organizations to ensure platform needs are met and technical decisions are executed effectively.

Assignments are typically defined in terms of broad objectives and anticipated results. This position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical approaches, anticipating future platform needs, and driving practical, innovative solutions that support current U.S. Army efforts and emerging international pursuits. The Project Engineer documents findings, communicates results to engineering staff and management, prepares and delivers technical presentations, and may represent the organization as a prime technical contact on small to medium projects or platform upgrades. The position also provides direction to design or technical staff and may lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides senior technical leadership and project engineering for the MQ‑1C Gray Eagle platform across the aircraft, ground control station, datalinks, mission systems, payloads, and related subsystems.
• Guides the resolution of complex technical issues affecting the Gray Eagle platform, balancing customer needs, operational constraints, and program objectives.
• Leads technical planning and coordination for Gray Eagle platform projects, including:
• Defining technical scope and work plans and preparing cost estimates
• Coordinating engineering activities across disciplines
• Managing technical risks, issues, and dependencies
• Performs and leads system‑level technical assessments and trade studies to support:
• Capability integration and upgrades
• Obsolescence management and refresh efforts
• Performance, reliability, and maintainability improvements
• Coordinates cross‑functional engineering efforts to ensure technical solutions are integrated, executable, and aligned with cost, schedule, and performance goals.
• Serves as a primary technical contact for Gray Eagle platform topics with internal stakeholders and external customers, including supporting technical interchange meetings, design reviews, program reviews, and other customer‑facing technical events.
• Leads and contributes to proposal and capture activities for new domestic and international opportunities by:
• Developing technical concepts and solutions for Gray Eagle platform enhancements
• Identifying technical risks and mitigation approaches
• Supporting basis‑of‑estimate development and proposal technical content
• Anticipates future platform needs, identifies technology insertion opportunities, and recommends modifications required to accomplish long‑term technical goals for the Gray Eagle platform.
• Provides expert guidance, mentoring, and consulting to other staff members working on difficult engineering problems and may assume technical responsibility for the success of identifiable Gray Eagle platform projects or major system upgrades.
• Directs activities of design or technical staff and may lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff, providing technical direction and reviewing work for adequacy.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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.
• Demonstrates extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, and practice to complex, multidisciplinary systems such as unmanned aircraft systems, military aviation, or other integrated aerospace/defense platforms.
• Familiarity with systems engineering concepts (requirements, interfaces, verification, configuration management) and the ability to work effectively with a Systems Engineering organization.
• Proven ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones, with experience in project or technical leadership roles.
• Ability to quickly understand new concepts, technologies, and customer needs and apply them accurately in an evolving operational environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, enabling effective interface with other departments and professionals, and the ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact with customers and internal leadership.
• Customer‑focused, with experience supporting fielded systems and working directly with military or government customers, including troubleshooting complex issues, coordinating with operators and maintainers, and driving corrective actions and system improvements.
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required (up to approximately 25%).
• Ability to obtain a maintain a DoD secret security clearance is required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545