Project Engineer MQ-9B Engineering Europe Program

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ICP bonus

Hybrid work environment

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) invites a Project Engineer to join the MQ-9B Europe Programs Engineering team in Poway, CA, supporting NATO-related efforts.

The role centers on planning, requirements definition, and collaboration with program management and customers to deliver complex aerospace systems. The position offers involvement across the full project lifecycle, including proposals, development, test, airworthiness, and initial sustainment, with travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering with 4+ years' experience, or 2+ years with a master's.
• Strong communication, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
• MQ-9/UAS program knowledge is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define system requirements and develop program plans with program management and customers.
• Develop proposals and execute development and test activities.
• Oversight of airworthiness certification and site setup for customer locations.
• Support initial sustainment and future applications with engineering teams.
• Represent the organization as a technical contact and participate in design reviews.

Skills

Strong communication

Documentation

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree or PhD in engineering

Professional Engineering License (desirable)

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.

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.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Engineer to join the MQ-9B Europe Programs Engineering team in support of an international MQ-9B program located in Poway, CA (20 minutes to downtown San Diego). The MQ-9B Europe Program Engineering team supports North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member-nations for the acquisition, development, testing, delivery and installation of MQ-9B systems. If you like working in a fast-paced, exciting, rewarding field that directly provides capability to the warfighters – then GA-ASI Program Engineering is for you!

With consultative direction, this position is responsible for contributing to the planning, managing, and technical aspects of the program. The Project Engineer will work closely with program management and customer counterparts to define the system requirements, develop program plans, develop proposals, execute development and test activities, complete airworthiness certification, set up customer site(s), and support initial sustainment.

Program Engineering is an exciting career field that allows for continual employee growth both professionally and personally. Program/Project Engineers serve as the primary focal point for our engineering customer counterparts and collaborate with internal functional engineering teams. Program Engineers have the unique ability to participate throughout the entire project timeline (pre-proposal through acquisition and developmental contract complete). This candidate will experience the exciting role with hands‑on involvement including MQ-9B system integration and test. This position may include some interaction with the end customer.

• Formulates plans and guides the development and implementation of engineering solution(s) including resource requirements, integration, configuration, testing, documentation, and export compliance.
• Collaborate with professional staff for assigned project(s)/program(s) to achieve technical objectives.
• Liaison with functional groups to develop and resolve integration solutions to meet program objectives while monitoring budget and schedule constraints.
• Serves as a key team member and may represent the organization, project, or program as a technical contact for the engineering team.
• Assists with determining annual and multi‑year technical objectives for designated engineering systems or project(s)/program(s).
• In conjunction with more experienced engineers, participates in internal and external technical program reviews.
• In conjunction with more experienced engineers, plans for future applications of solutions based on Internal Research & Development activity and new developments in engineering technology.
• Provides documentation and makes technical presentations as required.
• Willingness and desire to learn and expand their job knowledge and abilities.
• Troubleshoots, analyzes, and resolves systems level issues using standard engineering and scientific principles.
• Travel up to 25% is required to support meetings which will take place both in the U.S. and OCONUS.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to effectively communicate both with all functional engineering departments and all program management specialties and external to customers, sub‑contractors and vendors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Ensures compliance, reporting, and safety standards are maintained.
• 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.

Highlights Working For GA-ASI:

• This position is eligible for the Individual Compensation Program (ICP) bonus.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment pending project needs.
• Outstanding benefits including: 401(k) (with company match), company pension, on site cafeterias, gyms and outdoor recreation centers, unlimited access to discounted tickets to events and amusement parks such as San Diego Zoo and Safari Park at discounted rates.
• Outstanding work environment: team-centric, value and respect all contributors, great growth potential within GA-ASI project engineering and GA-ASI as a whole.
• Free Electric Vehicle (EV) charging while at work.

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; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a complete understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and, expanding knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and, determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to perform complex tasks in one engineering area; and, lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi‑routine tasks.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• A Professional Engineering License is desirable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.
• DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Desirable Qualifications: (Please add any additional qualifications you feel would be desirable)
• MQ-9 or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and program knowledge preferred.
• Experience supporting development, integration, and testing new capabilities or technologies.
• Experience with production oversight, payload integration, and fielding experience preferred.
• Experience with Direct Commercial Sale (DCS), Foreign Military Sale (FMS) programs, USG program offices, and international customer(s) is desired.
• Knowledge of DoD and/or NATO requirements generation and military system acquisition processes is highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of project management practices and principles is preferred.
• Led or participated in formal Engineering design reviews (e.g. Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Led or participated in technical meetings including Working Groups, Technical interchange Meetings (TIMs), Integrated Product Teams (IPT), Interface Control Working Groups (ICWGs).
• Led or participated in formal system-level test (Lab testing, Ground testing, and Flight testing).
• Experience with Product Management, Proposal Development, Basis of Estimation, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) is desired.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary
Salary range: 81,080 - 141,650