Lead Power Electronics Engineer — High‑Power Systems

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 116,480 - 208,505; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA‑EMS) in Rancho Bernardo seeks an Electrical Engineer to join the Electrical Technologies team, focusing on power electronics hardware and motor control firmware in a fast‑paced R&D setting.

The role involves developing and testing high‑power electronic systems, guiding technical analyses, and leading cross‑functional projects. Strong emphasis on innovation, problem solving, and teamwork within a defense‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering with 7–12+ years of progressive engineering experience (depending on degree).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance.
• Experience in power electronics, pulsed power systems, and both analog and digital circuit design.
• Desirable: power systems, power supplies, multi‑phase DC‑DC converters, embedded controls, and DoD review processes.
• Strong communication, leadership, and ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test power electronics for HEL systems, sensors, and space‑based laser communications.
• Improve legacy systems and develop new solutions.
• Create electrical architectures, perform analyses, document findings, and present results to management.
• Lead cross‑functional engineering efforts on high‑power batteries and space‑based electrical systems.
• Represent the organization as a prime technical contact and guide junior engineers.

Skills

Power Electronics

Pulsed Power

Analog Circuit Design

Digital Circuit Design

Project Leadership

Power System Design

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

SPICE

MATLAB/Simulink

PLECS

RIDLEYworks

HyperLynx

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 Engineer (EE) to join our Electrical Technologies team located in Rancho Bernardo. We are looking for someone with drive, talent, and experience in Power Electronics hardware and Motor Control firmware design who also thrives in a fast-paced, Research and Development (R&D) environment. The successful candidate will report to the Power Electronics EE Design Team Manager and, alongside high-caliber staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of electromagnetic systems, high-power motors & drives, high-accuracy aerospace gimbal motor controllers, power conditioning systems, cutting-edge technology ventures in domains from “DARPA-hard” undersea applications to “Newspace” satellites, and a variety of other technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with GA-EMS Electrical Engineering staff and chief engineers in the concept development and prototype design, integration, and test of power electronics for HEL systems, advanced sensors, and space-based laser communications.
• Demonstrate prior experience in the improvement of legacy systems and development of new systems.
• Generate electrical architecture solutions for new project needs, perform electrical engineering analyses for systems and circuits, document findings, communicate results to engineering and program management staff, give technical presentations, and manage technical effort schedules.
• Responsible for guiding the successful resolution of engineering problems, serve as a consulting resource for engineering knowledge, apply the latest technological advancements to the problem, and will often function in a project leadership role.
• May lead a cross-functional engineering team in technical efforts involving Ultra-High Power Lithium-Ion batteries, very compact power converters, or space-based electrical systems.
• Contribute to complex, electrical/optical/mechanical engineering efforts with hardware and personnel safety in mind while exercising business strategy, political savvy, and technical acumen.
• Grasp, understand, correlate, and apply concepts in electrical engineering to pieces in a complex system.
• With limited direction, plan and execute technical efforts quickly and strategically. Assignments will normally be outlined in terms of broad specifications, objectives, possible results anticipated, and critical reference points requiring special attention.
• May represent the organization as the prime technical contact on projects.
• Performs 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 bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve (12) or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, ten (10) or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or seven (7) or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance is required.
• Required Experience: Power Electronics; pulsed power systems; both analog and digital circuit design.
• Desirable Experience: Power systems; power supplies; multiphase DC-to-DC converters; embedded controls in power electronics; digital or microprocessor control of power supplies; guiding a design through development and into production; familiarity with DoD technical review process (at a minimum, SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR); analysis, design, and implementation of hardware systems to include digital, analog, RF, laser, and optical is required.
• Desired Skills (ranked high to low): PowerPoint Engineering; Microsoft Project; PCB Design Software (e.g. Altium Designer); SPICE circuit design, modeling, and simulation tools; power supply and power system design tools (e.g. MATLAB Simulink, PLEXIM PLECS, Ridleyworks); HyperLynx Signal/Power Integrity tools.
• Demonstrate technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with some experience in project leadership.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving project environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals.
• Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced colleagues.
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Some travel and extended work schedules may be required.
• The submission of a cover letter with resume is desired.
  
  
  

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 116,480 - 208,505