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. With limited consultative direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives and approaches for the analysis, development, integration, modernization, and sustainment of aircraft mechanical and propulsion systems. Functions as a senior systems engineer and technical lead for assigned air vehicle systems, with emphasis on propulsion, airframe integration, and associated mechanical subsystems. Applies extensive aerospace or mechanical engineering knowledge to develop requirements, evaluate architectures and interfaces, assess engineering changes, and resolve complex technical problems throughout the system lifecycle. Works closely with propulsion, mechanical design, structures, aerodynamics, electrical, avionics, software, systems integration, test, safety, and airworthiness organizations to translate operational needs, engineering analyses, and design constraints into coordinated system requirements and verification activities. Provides technical leadership for assigned engineering efforts, mentors engineering staff, and represents assigned technical areas in discussions with program leadership, suppliers, customers, and government representatives. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Leads systems engineering activities for assigned aircraft mechanical and propulsion systems, including requirements development, functional decomposition, allocation, interface definition, integration planning, and verification. • Develops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, and component specifications. Establishes traceability to stakeholder needs, parent requirements, engineering analyses, and applicable design constraints. Performs system-level assessments of propulsion integration, including engine and propeller interfaces, fuel delivery, lubrication, cooling, starting systems, engine controls, and interactions with aircraft electrical power generation, as applicable to the assigned configuration. • Evaluates interfaces between propulsion and other aircraft systems, including airframe installation, structural loads, thermal management, electrical power, avionics, software, and operator controls and indications. • Defines and coordinates functional behavior, operating constraints, and interface requirements for normal, degraded, and emergency operating conditions with the responsible engineering disciplines. • Develops and maintains interface definitions and Interface Control Documents covering applicable mechanical, fluid, thermal, electrical, and data interfaces. • Reviews engineering memoranda, design analyses, supplier documentation, and technical decisions to identify requirements, assumptions, constraints, and verification obligations. Maintains traceability to the applicable source documents and revisions. • Coordinates technical assessments and trade studies addressing aircraft performance, propulsion integration, weight, thermal constraints, reliability, maintainability, cost, schedule, and technical risk. • Evaluates proposed hardware, software, and mechanical changes for impacts to requirements, interfaces, aircraft performance, verification, regression testing, technical documentation, and configuration compatibility. • Maintains configuration-specific requirements and technical baselines, including identifying and documenting differences between development, test, production, and fielded configurations. • Reviews supplier specifications, interface data, analyses, and qualification evidence. Coordinates resolution of technical discrepancies and gaps with suppliers and responsible engineering organizations. • Develops verification approaches using test, analysis, inspection, or demonstration. Reviews verification plans, procedures, and results for alignment with requirements and the applicable aircraft configuration. • Maintains requirements-to-verification traceability and contributes to verification matrices, including identifying missing evidence, unresolved discrepancies, and additional qualification or regression needs. • Participates in laboratory, propulsion test-rig, aircraft ground-test, and flight-test activities. Analyzes discrepancies between expected and observed system behavior and coordinates root-cause investigations and corrective actions. • Works with safety, airworthiness, reliability, and maintainability specialists to identify applicable requirements and provide technical substantiation for their assessments. • Prepares and presents technical material for requirements reviews, design reviews, test readiness reviews, technical interchange meetings, and other program reviews. Communicates technical risks, unresolved assumptions, and recommended actions. • Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and peer review for other engineers. • May lead multidisciplinary technical efforts and develops estimates, schedules, resource needs, and measurable completion criteria for assigned work. • Maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information. • Performs other duties as assigned. • Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company. • Expected to work 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 bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution, with progressive engineering experience consistent with the Company’s Engineer VI classification. Equivalent engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of education as permitted by Company policy. • Demonstrated aerospace or mechanical engineering experience involving aircraft systems, including direct experience in aircraft propulsion development, integration, analysis, or qualification. • Extensive knowledge of engineering principles relevant to aircraft mechanical and propulsion systems, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mechanics, and system performance. • Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering methods to complex aerospace systems, including requirements development, decomposition, allocation, interface management, traceability, and verification. • Ability to evaluate propulsion as part of an integrated aircraft system and identify interactions with fuel, thermal management, structures, electrical power, controls, avionics, and software. • Experience interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, technical specifications, design memoranda, analytical results, and test data to identify system requirements and integration constraints. • Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical problems involving multiple engineering disciplines, evaluate competing technical approaches, and document recommendations and their supporting rationale. • Experience assessing engineering changes and their effects on system requirements, interfaces, configuration compatibility, qualification, and regression testing. • Experience coordinating with design engineers, integration teams, test organizations, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders through development and verification activities. • Strong technical leadership, written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Must be able to explain complex engineering issues to technical and nontechnical stakeholders. • Ability to independently plan and execute assigned engineering activities with limited direction, coordinate multidisciplinary work, and mentor less-experienced engineers. • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance. • Able to work extended hours as required. • Preferred Qualifications • Experience with military aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems, particularly aircraft propulsion installation and integration. • Experience with engine and propeller systems, fuel systems, lubrication, cooling, engine starting, propulsion controls, or accessory-drive interfaces. • Experience with additional aircraft mechanical systems such as landing gear, braking, actuation, airframe interfaces, or equipment installation. • Experience interpreting structural, thermal, vibration, environmental, or aircraft-performance analyses and translating their conclusions into requirements and verification criteria. • Experience with propulsion test rigs, aircraft ground testing, flight testing, qualification, or troubleshooting of fielded aircraft systems. • Familiarity with aircraft safety and airworthiness processes, failure analysis, reliability, maintainability, and configuration-controlled technical substantiation. • Experience with requirements-management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent, and familiarity with model-based systems engineering, SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw, or comparable architecture tools. Job Category: Engineering Experience Level: Senior (8+ years) Workstyle: Hybrid Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Salary Pay Range Low: 118,500 Pay Range High: 207,750 Travel Percentage Required: 0% - 25% Relocation Assistance Provided?: No US Citizenship Required?: Yes Clearance Required?: Desired Clearance Level: Secret

Requirements

Must-haves

Develops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, and component specifications. Establishes traceability to stakeholder needs, parent requirements, engineering analyses, and applicable design constraints.
Evaluates interfaces between propulsion and other aircraft systems, including airframe installation, structural loads, thermal management, electrical power, avionics, software, and operator controls and indications.
Defines and coordinates functional behavior, operating constraints, and interface requirements for normal, degraded, and emergency operating conditions with the responsible engineering disciplines.
Develops and maintains interface definitions and Interface Control Documents covering applicable mechanical, fluid, thermal, electrical, and data interfaces.
Coordinates technical assessments and trade studies addressing aircraft performance, propulsion integration, weight, thermal constraints, reliability, maintainability, cost, schedule, and technical risk.
Evaluates proposed hardware, software, and mechanical changes for impacts to requirements, interfaces, aircraft performance, verification, regression testing, technical documentation, and configuration compatibility.
Maintains configuration-specific requirements and technical baselines, including identifying and documenting differences between development, test, production, and fielded configurations.
Reviews supplier specifications, interface data, analyses, and qualification evidence. Coordinates resolution of technical discrepancies and gaps with suppliers and responsible engineering organizations.
Develops verification approaches using test, analysis, inspection, or demonstration. Reviews verification plans, procedures, and results for alignment with requirements and the applicable aircraft configuration.
Maintains requirements-to-verification traceability and contributes to verification matrices, including identifying missing evidence, unresolved discrepancies, and additional qualification or regression needs.
Works with safety, airworthiness, reliability, and maintainability specialists to identify applicable requirements and provide technical substantiation for their assessments.
Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and peer review for other engineers.

Nice-to-haves

Experience with military aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems, particularly aircraft propulsion installation and integration.
Experience with engine and propeller systems, fuel systems, lubrication, cooling, engine starting, propulsion controls, or accessory-drive interfaces.
Experience with additional aircraft mechanical systems such as landing gear, braking, actuation, airframe interfaces, or equipment installation.
Experience interpreting structural, thermal, vibration, environmental, or aircraft-performance analyses and translating their conclusions into requirements and verification criteria.
Experience with propulsion test rigs, aircraft ground testing, flight testing, qualification, or troubleshooting of fielded aircraft systems.
Familiarity with aircraft safety and airworthiness processes, failure analysis, reliability, maintainability, and configuration-controlled technical substantiation.
Experience with requirements-management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent, and familiarity with model-based systems engineering, SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw, or comparable architecture tools.
Job Category: Engineering
Workstyle: Hybrid
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Salary
Relocation Assistance Provided?: No
Clearance Level: Secret

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: brassring
Effort: medium

Benefits

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