Senior Staff Product Sustaining Electrical Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) seeks a highly experienced Senior Staff Product Sustaining Electrical Engineer to join our advanced manufacturing team in Poway, CA.

This role focuses on sustaining production, troubleshooting complex hardware, and driving RCCA/CAPA across product platforms to ensure reliability and long-term performance. The successful candidate will provide expert sustaining engineering support, lead root-cause analyses, mentor junior engineers, and

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in electrical engineering from an accredited institution with progressive engineering experience.
• 15+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing, fabrication, or test environments.
• Proven expertise in analog and digital circuit analysis, PCB troubleshooting, and test instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, DFM principles, and root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Experience with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, etc.).
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, ECO processes, and configuration management tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative engineering team.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert-level sustaining engineering support, including obsolescence management, test failures, yield improvement, and production line support.
• Troubleshoot electronic assemblies, boards, and systems down to component level.
• Lead RCA and develop CAPA for recurring or high-impact issues.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and quality teams for continuous improvement.
• Review and update schematics, BOMs, test procedures, and documentation.
• Support failure analysis on returned units and resolve field issues.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians.
• Interface with vendors to resolve component-related production issues.

Skills

Analog & digital analysis

PCB troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

CAPA implementation

DFM principles

Test instrumentation

ERP/MRP familiarity

Documentation

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Power analyzers

Test equipment

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.

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff Product Sustaining Electrical Engineer to join our advanced manufacturing team. This role focuses on sustaining production, troubleshooting complex hardware and system issues, and driving root cause and corrective actions (RCCA) across all product platforms. The ideal candidate brings decades of hands‑on experience in electronic fabrication environments, ensuring reliability, manufacturability, and long-term product performance.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide expert-level support for sustaining engineering, including component obsolescence management, test failures, yield improvement, and production line support.
• Perform in-depth troubleshooting of electronic assemblies, boards, and systems down to the component level.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and develop robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for recurring or high-impact issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality to ensure continuous product and process improvement.
• Review and update schematics, BOMs, test procedures, and documentation as part of sustaining activities.
• Support failure analysis on returned units and drive resolution of customer-reported field issues.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians.
• Interface with vendors and suppliers to resolve technical or component-related issues affecting production.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in electrical engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or ten or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• 15+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing, fabrication, or test environments.
• Proven expertise in analog and digital circuit analysis, PCB troubleshooting, and test instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, DFM principles, and root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Experience with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, etc.).
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, ECO processes, and configuration management tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative engineering team
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 128,130 - 229,358

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.