Systems Engineer Lead

General Atomics; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics in Poway, California, is looking for a Systems Engineering Leader to oversee technical execution and cost management of engineering projects. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure compliance and meeting customer requirements.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in DoD aerospace and unmanned vehicles, alongside strong leadership skills to guide junior engineers. Familiarity with tools like JIRA and Confluence is beneficial, and an engineering degree is required.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Experience in DoD aerospace and unmanned air vehicle design.
• Prior technical lead experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct technical, cost, and schedule execution of systems engineering.
• Engage with external stakeholders on project requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers in systems engineering practices.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in engineering

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Cameo

MagicDraw

Job description

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

With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solutions to advanced technical engineering problems. It may function in an advisory or project leadership role providing direction to experienced professional staff. The role formulates long‑term plans for solution development, documentation, and deployment, while meeting compliance, reporting, and safety standards. It evaluates the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment, ensuring all necessary documentation, testing, maintenance, and updates are completed. The incumbent communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle, represents the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects, interacts with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between organizations, and participates in the development of new or the expansion of existing businesses.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for technical, cost, and schedule execution of the program’s Systems Engineering team.
  • Ensures all work products are produced in accordance with the project plan to satisfy customer requirements.
  • Ensures all work products are completed on cost and schedule.
  • Defines IMS tasks required to complete scope of work to achieve program milestones.
  • Acts as control account manager for assigned control accounts.
• Provides technical oversight and direction to the Systems Engineering team for the assigned program. The team typically includes requirements, modeling & simulation, airworthiness, human factors, system safety, cybersecurity, and RAM.
• Responsible for external stakeholder engagement for the team’s scope of work, frequently collaborating with customers, subcontractors, and mission partners.
• Contributes to the conduct of program design and readiness reviews.
• Collaborates with SE leadership and peers to ensure consistent implementation of SE practices across programs.
• Mentors junior engineers on SE practices.
• Drives continuous improvement in system engineering processes, tools, and practices to enhance efficiency, quality, and reuse.
• Supports internal development and new business opportunities.
• Using traditional and model‑based systems engineering approaches, leads and contributes to the development of all SE work products, which may include:
  • CONOPS
  • System Architecture
  • Requirements and Interface Control Documents
  • Mission and System Analysis
  • Trade Studies
  • MBSE Models
  • TRL/MRL Assessments
  • Verification & Validation Artifacts
  • Airworthiness Artifacts
  • Human Factor Artifacts
  • System Safety Artifacts
  • Cybersecurity Artifacts
  • Reliability, Availability, Maintainability (RAM) Artifacts

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience: twelve or more years with a bachelor’s degree, ten or more years with a master’s degree, or seven or more years with a PhD; equivalent experience may substitute for education.
• Must have prior experience in DoD aerospace, unmanned air vehicle, and aircraft design.
• Prior experience as an IPT lead or technical lead is strongly desired.
• Familiarity with tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, JAMA, and Atlassian (JIRA, Confluence) is desired.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, enabling effective leadership with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Customer‑focused, formulates plans based on developing innovative new designs to resolve advanced technical engineering problems. Must be able to work on a self‑initiated basis and in a team environment, work extended hours, and travel as required.

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