Software Developer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in Poway, CA seeks a seasoned Software Developer to support flight and mission-critical capabilities deployed in complex operational environments.

You will coordinate software development across the lifecycle, plan releases across configurations, and ensure CM, release procedures, and quality standards are followed. The role requires leadership in architecture and integration strategies with Systems Engineering and program management, with DoD

Qualifications

• Six or more years with a bachelor’s degree; four+ years with a master’s; two+ with a PhD; substitute equivalents allowed.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles including system architecture, modular design, integration, and lifecycle management.
• Experience leading and mentoring software engineers and coordinating technical work across a development team.
• Experience developing software for complex integrated systems (distributed/real-time/embedded).
• Ability to organize, schedule, and manage technical work across multiple concurrent efforts with competing priorities.
• Ability to evaluate technical approaches, make engineering decisions, and resolve complex system-level problems.
• Experience supporting software integration, verification, and test across lab, simulation, or operational environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and engineering reviews.
• Capability to serve as a primary technical point of contact for assigned software scope.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a structured development environment.
• Experience delivering software under configuration management across multiple configurations (lab, fielded, etc.).
• Willingness to support program execution needs, including extended hours during milestones.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Determine user requirements and plan software development across the broader scope.
• Coordinate development activities across all phases of the Software Development Lifecycle.
• Support planning and execution of software releases across configurations.
• Ensure engineering work follows configuration management, release procedures, and quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight of software architecture and integration strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with systems engineering, test, and program management.
• Support software integration and troubleshooting in lab, simulation, and operations.
• Participate in design, code, and test-readiness reviews.
• Evaluate process improvements to enhance development efficiency and delivery reliability.
• Act as primary contact for external engineering teams, program management, and customers.
• Support program execution needs, including schedule-driven integrations or releases.

Skills

Software architecture

Team leadership

System integration

Communication

DoD clearance

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS/IS or related

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. General Atomics is seeking a seasoned Software Developer to join the team in Poway, CA. Your work will directly support flight and mission-critical capabilities deployed in complex operational environments, contributing to technologies that have meaningful real-world impact.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Determine user requirements and specifications and plan for software development within the broader organizational scope. Software development includes end-user, system level, and data management applications.
• Coordinate development activities across all phases of the Software Development Lifecycle.
• Support planning and execution of software releases across multiple system or customer configurations.
• Ensure engineering work aligns with configuration management processes, release procedures, and quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight of software architecture, implementation approaches, and integration strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with systems engineering, test, integration labs, and program management.
• Support software integration and troubleshooting within lab, simulation, and operational environments.
• Participate in technical reviews including design reviews, code reviews, and test readiness reviews.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements to enhance development efficiency, quality, and delivery reliability.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external engineering teams, program management, and customers within assigned projects.
• Support program execution needs, including schedule-driven integration or release activities.

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 degree, masters degree or PhD in computer science, information systems or related discipline and progressive software development experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles including system architecture, modular design, integration, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor software engineers and coordinate technical work across a development team.
• Experience developing software for complex integrated systems (e.g., distributed systems, real-time systems, embedded platforms, or hardware-software integrated environments).
• Ability to organize, schedule, and manage technical work across multiple concurrent efforts with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical approaches, make sound engineering decisions, and resolve complex system-level problems.
• Experience supporting software integration, verification, and test activities across lab, simulation, or operational environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and formal engineering reviews.
• Capability to serve as a primary technical point of contact for assigned software scope.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a structured development environment.
• Experience supporting configuration-controlled software delivery within integrated lab or operational environments (e.g., simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, or fielded systems), including formal configuration management and traceable, baselined releases across multiple system configurations.
• Willingness to support program execution needs, including extended hours during integration or release milestones when required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in regulated, safety-critical, or mission-critical software environments.
• Experience with multi-configuration or product-line software development.
• Experience with automated testing, build systems, or development environment provisioning.
• Experience supporting formal software releases or customer deliveries.
• Experience with simulation environments or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience developing software for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or remotely piloted aircraft.
• Experience supporting software development in accordance with DO-178 or similar certification standards.
• Experience integrating AI-assisted development tools into team workflows while maintaining engineering rigor, configuration control, and verification of generated artifacts.
• Prior technical lead or supervisory experience.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545