Principal Systems Architect

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,940 - 252,293; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics in San Diego is seeking a Principal Systems Architect to lead automation initiatives for critical business operations. This senior role involves driving technical direction in a complex ecosystem with a focus on AI and cybersecurity compliance.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in systems architecture and a strong background in leading Intelligent Automation projects, ensuring alignment with DoD data protection standards. A salary range of $140,940 to $252,293 reflects the value of your contributions.

Qualifications

• 14+ years experience in designing information technology system architecture.
• Experience deploying Intelligent Automation across various enterprise workflows.
• Strong leadership to drive multi-departmental technical projects.

Responsibilities

• Architect automated future state solutions for the product lifecycle.
• Define overall technical architecture of an enterprise automation ecosystem.
• Lead cybersecurity compliance for AI and automation initiatives.

Skills

Systems engineering mindset

Machine Learning

RPA expertise

Cybersecurity principles

Exceptional communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology

Tools

SAP

PowerBI

Windchill

Atlassian

Job description

Job Summary

GA-EMS is seeking a Principal Systems Architect to lead the technical direction and execution of our enterprise digital transformation initiatives. This individual will serve as the primary architect bridging the gap between advanced technology (GenAI, Machine Learning, RPA) and critical business operations, targeting the modernization of workflows across Programs, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance (QA), Configuration-Data Management, Finance, and IT Infrastructure.

This is a senior technical role for a high-impact, complex automation ecosystem supporting U.S. Government and commercial programs. The architecture involves real-time data extraction from legacy systems (SAP, PEO, MPM, PLM), predictive machine learning for manufacturing and QA defect analysis, and GenAI-driven automation for software processes and financial/EVMS reporting. Operating within a highly secure, CMMC-compliant defense cloud environment, this system serves a diverse internal user base of program, engineering, manufacturing, material management, and financial managers and executive leadership.

The right candidate is a strong systems thinker, an experienced AI/automation architect, and a credible technical authority who will own the system design from concept to deployment. This person must possess a balance of deep technical depth to architect secure machine learning pipelines across varied data domains, the operational drive to execute projects on schedule, and the executive presence to translate complex technology into clear business ROI (throughput, quality, margin protection) for stakeholders up to the COO level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with cross-functional leadership to understand manual data extraction chokepoints and architect automated "future state" solutions for the entire product lifecycle.
• Define and maintain the overall technical architecture of a complex enterprise automation ecosystem spanning RPA, Machine Learning, and GenAI applications across multiple business units.
• Architect data pipelines that integrate diverse enterprise systems, such as ERP (SAP, Production Engineering and Operations), Quality Management Systems (QMS), Project reporting tools (PowerBI, MPM, Project Server) and Configuration-Data Management/PLM tools (e.g., Windchill, Atlassian).
• Provide technical leadership to automate complex workflows, such as Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) routing, automated QA defect prediction, DevSecOps infrastructure monitoring, and predictive financial EVMS reporting.
• Take ownership of end-to-end system cybersecurity, ensuring all AI and automation initiatives strictly comply with DoD data protection standards, CMMC, and Zero Trust architectures.
• Proactively identify technical risks, architectural friction points, and integration challenges before they impact project delivery or system accreditation.
• Exercise sound engineering judgment to evaluate tradeoffs among deployment speed, system resiliency, maintainability, and long-term enterprise health.
• Represent the digital transformation program as a senior technical leader, confidently presenting strategies, roadmaps, and cross-functional ROI metrics to the COO and other executive stakeholders.
• Mentor technical team members and help strengthen the digital engineering bench across the GA-EMS organization.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology or related field and fourteen or more year's progressive experience in designing information technology system architecture. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Significant experience architecting and deploying Intelligent Automation (RPA) and Machine Learning/AI addressing workflows and pipelines across a broad enterprise encompassing Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance lifecycles.
• Strong systems engineering mindset with a deep understanding of complex data integration across ERPs (SAP), Configuration-Data Management/PLM (e.g., Windchill, Atlassian), and infrastructure management tools.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, specifically securing AI models and data pipelines within Department of Defense (DoD) or heavily regulated environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead across organizational boundaries, balancing technical know-how with the execution drive required to push multi-departmental projects across the finish line.
• Proactive leadership style with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and the confidence to make bold but disciplined decisions.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the proven ability to present complex technical concepts to senior business executives (C-suite) and non-technical operational leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• An active Security Clearance is preferred, but not required.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense contractors, with a broad understanding of defense manufacturing standards (MPEO workflows), configuration-data management, and financial compliance (EVMS).
• Experience with modern software delivery processes, DevSecOps CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code automation.
• Experience integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) or generative AI tools into internal corporate workflows using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) within secure environments like GCC High or Microsoft Purview.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 140,940 - 252,293