Senior Engineering Manager (Automation)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in Poway, CA, invites applications for an Engineering Manager within the Electrical Engineering Test team. You will lead flight test instrumentation efforts and oversee the technical performance across concurrent programs.

The role requires strong communication, program management, and leadership skills to coordinate with Flight Ops, Mechanical Engineering, project engineers, and customers while driving engineering excellence and safe, on-time results.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in engineering or related field with extensive engineering experience.
• Demonstrates expertise in engineering test and measurement, flight test instrumentation, and flight test principles.
• Proven project management and leadership skills, able to organize and coordinate workloads across programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for flight test instrumentation and campaign activities.
• Manage flight test instrumentation efforts from planning through deployment and execution.
• Oversee projects involving PWAs, LRUs, flight test systems, LabVIEW-based software, and test automation.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews and instrumentation reviews.
• Identify and resolve engineering issues, adjust resources and schedules as needed.
• Mentor and develop technical staff and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Prepare estimates, proposals, budgets, and resource plans.
• Ensure compliance with laws, policies, and safety procedures.
• Support travel and extended hours as required.

Skills

Engineering test & measurement

Flight test instrumentation

Project management

Leadership & mentoring

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

cRIO

KAM-500

Safran XMA

Test automation

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. GA-ASI has an exciting opportunity for an Engineering Manager to join the Electrical Engineering Test team within the ASI Division in Poway, California. Reporting to the Electrical Engineering Test Director, the Engineering Manager will lead flight test instrumentation efforts and oversee the technical performance and execution of multiple concurrent programs. The successful candidate will collaborate with multiple teams, including Flight Operations Facility (FOF), Mechanical Engineering flight test instrumentation team, technical staff, production managers, project engineers, program managers, and external customers. This position requires effective communication with personnel at all levels of the organization. This position may make decisions that significantly impact program outcomes. Erroneous decisions could result in schedule delays and the expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned flight test instrumentation and flight test campaign activities.
• Manage flight test instrumentation efforts, including planning, development, reviews, integration, verification, deployment, and technical execution in support of flight test objectives.
• Manage projects involving production avionics printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) and line-replaceable units (LRUs), flight test systems, engine test stands, LabVIEW-based software, test automation systems, and hardware test and measurement.
• Participate in test plan reviews, schematic and software design reviews, test system reviews, procedure development, instrumentation reviews, flight test readiness reviews, and reviews of test automation deliverables.
• Identify engineering issues and lead the development and implementation of solutions, including resource reallocation, schedule adjustments, and changes to project specifications when appropriate.
• Promote engineering excellence through the recruitment, selection, retention, mentoring, and professional development of technical personnel.
• Participate in the preparation of estimates, proposals, business plans, operating budgets, and resource plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and other obligations.
• Ensure work is performed safely and in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• 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 eleven or more years of progressively complex engineering experience.
• Demonstrates technical expertise in engineering test and measurement, flight test instrumentation, and flight test principles, concepts, theory, and practices.
• Demonstrates project management and leadership skills, including the ability to organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads across multiple programs to meet deadlines and milestones.
• Ability to resolve complex technical and management problems and make sound decisions in a schedule-driven environment.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, external representatives, and government representatives.
• Experience planning and executing flight test campaigns, coordinating test readiness activities, and supporting flight test operations is highly desirable.
• Experience with flight test instrumentation systems and related disciplines, such as KAM-500, Safran XMA, LabVIEW cRIO, instrumentation integration, flight data acquisition, and test data review, is highly desirable.
• Experience with laboratory equipment, including power supplies, data acquisition, oscilloscopes, and electronic loads.
• Experience troubleshooting electrical, flight test instrumentation, and automated test systems.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineers and other technical personnel through technical instruction, internships, on-the-job coaching, or similar activities.
• Customer-focused, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Passion for continuous learning and improving engineering processes, products, and team capabilities.
• Must be willing and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance is required; an active Secret clearance is preferred.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 130,500 - 228,375