Systems Engineering Manager

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,810 - 229,670; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics is looking for a full-time Systems Engineer Manager in San Diego, CA, to lead engineering efforts for various space and airborne systems. This position requires extensive experience in systems engineering, with specific focus on project management, budget control, and team leadership.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, with at least 11 years of relevant experience. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, along with the ability to work on complex projects that involve advanced technology.

Qualifications

• At least 11 years of engineering experience, preferably in space-related projects.
• Experience leading teams through program milestone reviews.
• Expert in engineering principles and requirements management.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering scope, budget, and resources for multiple projects.
• Lead teams to ensure successful project execution and technical performance.
• Implement process improvements in systems engineering operations.

Skills

Engineering experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering

Tools

Requirements Management applications (DOORS, JAMA)

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high‑technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA‑EMS) designs and manufactures first‑of‑a‑kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA‑EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We currently have an exciting opportunity in our Systems Engineering Integration department for a full‑time Systems Engineer (SE) Manager with a background in space to join our team located in San Diego, CA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Collaboration

• Participate in the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
• Team with Program/Project/Proposal Management and Design Engineering to build consensus-driven solutions and execution plans for new and existing programs.
• Coordinate all engineering work, assignments, and inputs to support the project Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and budget aligned with the Project Management Plan (PMP) for multiple business areas.
• Assign individual contributors and leads to projects and ensures appropriate processes and practices are followed.
• Assist in the management and execution of project plans, in concert with project leadership.
• Partner with business leaders, and control account managers to keep engineering manpower forecasts up to date.
• Own engineering scope, budget, schedule, and performance to meet program objectives.
• Partner closely with program leadership to proactively plan, resource, and level‑load work, resolving resource constraints and keeping projects on track.

Execution and Coordination

• Provide direct program support in the role of a Lead Systems Engineer or as an Individual Contributor to support program timelines and deliverables across various space and airborne payload programs, laser systems, optical communication terminal systems, and other prototype systems, throughout the design, development, integration, and test phases of the product life‑cycle.
• May also support Systems Engineering across other GA products such as tactical missiles, projectiles, radiation monitoring systems, complex aerospace systems, internal development projects, and new business opportunities as needed.
• Help define and shape the roles, responsibilities, and core processes for an emerging Systems Engineering team.
• Drive day‑to‑day task prioritization to meet schedule and program needs while overseeing and ensuring the quality of work produced by the team.
• Supervise and ensure staff execution to conform to cost, schedule, production, and performance commitments.
• Leads the engineering team to common objectives, clearly communicates the status of efforts, identify/resolve issues, and manages to cost/schedule.
• Own the execution and proper implementation of system engineering processes across design, development, integration, test and performance verification.
• Manages resource needs and leads system engineering activities across multiple programs, as well as from the extended engineering organization when surge support is necessary to support schedule.
• Provide leadership and direct all activities of the group including planning and managing technical performance to ensure quality, business and financial objectives are attained.

Status and Communication

• Regularly gather status from engineering team and provides the status and updates to the Engineering Management and Senior Leadership.
• Represents the engineering functional organization to Project Management providing status, coordination, and collaboration in achieving project objectives and timelines.
• Represent specific project team’s efforts to the engineering functional organization and Project Managers.

Growth and Continual Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements centered on company systems engineering processes, product lifecycle best practices, and functional manager best practices.
• Ensure technical leadership and excellence is maintained by participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required technical talent.
• Participate in the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets, and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
• Responsible for ensuring all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations are observed wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Responsible for ensuring work is accomplished 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.

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. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Experienced system engineering leader that has led the development, assembly, integration and testing for systems slated to undergo verification and validation including creation of system engineering and test artifacts for space or airborne payloads.
• Experienced in leading teams through the preparation and execution of program milestone reviews such as system requirements review (SRR), system functional review (SFR), preliminary & critical design review (PDR, CDR), test readiness review (TRR), and customer acceptance review (AR).
• Demonstrates an extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as project management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Must demonstrate the ability to resolve managerial, technical, and interpersonal challenges.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with Requirements Management applications (DOORS, JAMA, etc.), requirements development, and product lifecycle planning and integration for complex systems are required.
• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Customer focused, must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment, and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• A Professional Engineering License, and original work(s) published in professional engineering journals are desirable.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a top-secret DOD or DOE-Q clearance is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of SysML and model based system engineering (MBSE) with experience developing multiple SysML diagram models.
• Requires strong skills in management, project management, leadership, communication, systems engineering, and engineering technical disciplines.
• Education and/or work experience in firmware and software engineering development.
• Broad, multi-disciplinary technical expertise and a history of applying engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary, product-oriented engineering teams.
• Demonstrated success in aligning procedure and processes to improve team throughput and visibility.
• Experience writing technical documents and computer literate with versatile knowledge of the computer applications and MRP systems used in the industry (MS Word, Excel, Access, Project, SAP, Windchill, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of best practices to help transitions from design development to sustainment.
• Expertise or significant experience in systems engineering, industrial process engineering, nuclear engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• Existing Security Clearance preferred (DOE-Q or DOD –Secret).

Job Type: Full‑Time Salary

Salary range: 125,810 - 229,670