Electrical Engineer, Chief Engineer
San Diego, California
Overview
General Atomics pioneers technologies with the potential to change the world. Behind a talented global team of engineers, GA delivers safe, sustainable, and economical solutions to meet growing global demands. Our Engineers have an opportunity to work on first of a kind product lines within an incredible, dynamic environment.
Engineering positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience. Candidates from mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering backgrounds must know the fundamentals of engineering system developments, requirements, testing, and integration before getting to the final stages of customer interface and project management.
Schedule: Full-Time Salary
Job Level: Senior (8+ years)
Travel: 0 - 25
Success Profile
What makes a successful Electrical Engineer, Chief Engineer at General Atomics? Check out the top traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right mix.
- Analytical
- Collaborative
- Inventive
- Problem Solver
- Team Player
- Creative
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 have an exciting opportunity for a Sr. Electrical Engineer to join our Electrical Technologies Directorate located in Rancho Bernardo. This individual will function as a chief engineer to provide technical oversight and leadership of an entire project team of engineers of varying experience levels and disciplines while being responsible for the technical and performance execution of the team and project. We are looking for someone with drive, talent, and experience in the industry’s latest Electrical Technologies spanning power systems, power electronics, high-speed digital electronics, embedded systems and software, instrumentation and controls, cabling/harnessing, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design, and RF/EMI/EMC who also thrives in a fast-paced, Research and Development (R&D) environment. The successful candidate will report to the Electrical Engineering Director of Electrical Technologies and, alongside high-caliber engineering and management staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of high-power electromagnetic systems, power conditioning systems, pulsed-power systems, high-energy laser systems, battery systems, advanced airborne sensors, space-based laser and electro-optical systems, cutting-edge technology ventures into Defense and “NewSpace,” and a variety of other technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Guide architecture trades to search and find balanced technical, schedule and cost solutions to meet customer requirements
- Mentor technical teams, hardware/software, designers, analysts through the full product lifecycle
- Optimize processes and drive standard methodologies across the program to balance execution risk with shortened delivery schedules and optimized cost
- Tailor GA standard processes, methods, tools, and metrics as required for program-unique requirements
- Serve as a technical point of contact for engineering with the Customer, systems integrators, program management and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
- Technical oversight and coordination of the engineering resources necessary to evaluate and resolve issues, including coordination of external expertise
- Ensure technical baseline control by implementing Engineering Review Board (ERB) and supporting Risk and Opportunity Management Process (ROMP) execution
- Manage professional and technical performance of staff to ensure quality, business and financial objectives are achieved
- Support and lead engineering staff in the analysis, investigation and resolution of complex engineering problems
- Independently perform challenging engineering work, document findings, communicate results, make technical presentations, and support test activities both on-site and off-site
- Leads the designs, development, and testing of components and systems
- Demonstrates strong understanding of design, analysis, fabrication and test techniques for space and defense applications
- Assists with requirement analysis, mission analysis, and design trade space
- Perform other duties as assigned or required
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 engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
- Familiarity with all aspects of a technology system life cycle, including development, assembly, integration, verification/validation test, and operations
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment is required
- Strong communication, leadership, presentation and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface within departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, and government representatives
- Experience with Systems Architecture proposal, design, and development of defense systems, spacecraft, aerospace sensors and payloads, and ground systems
- Experience in all phases of the program lifecycle: pre-proposal through deployment checkout
- Demonstrated strategic development and analysis skills
- Experience with non-traditional ways (i.e. Go-fast) of meeting customer needs common in a research and development environment
- Experience mentoring and developing technical talent
- Demonstrated ability to drive closure and resolve complex technical issues/challenges
- Experience with procurement and management of supplier developed or Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) hardware/software to include collaboration with enterprise subcontract management and procurement teams
- Proven experience as a conceptual thinker with the ability to translate into action and results
- Ability to build consensus among peers while building solid relationships with team members, leadership, subordinates, and customers
- Active DoD Security Clearance is required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- The submission of a cover letter with resume is desired
Salary:$140,940 - $252,293
Benefits
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Healthcare
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Pension, 401(k)/Retirement Plans
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Competitive Pay
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Multiple product lines means a variety of work
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Paid Time Off

“The company is growing, has a very good reputation and had open positions in my area of expertise (aircraft design/design methodology development).”– Peter, Senior Staff Engineer

“We don't ascribe to quotas; we do ascribe to securing the BEST talent to enrich our culture toward healthy diversification and active/viable community service. We are STEM advocates.”– Debra, CSSBB: Staff Engineer

“Every day is different, with different problems to solve and many programs to support. I am a problem solver and have always been motivated by the tough questions.”– Scott, Laser Scientist

“I work in the Components Engineering and Obsolescence Management Dept. Our efforts are saving General Atomics several millions of dollars by proactively leading and informing the company of all these decisions which significantly impact production, sustainment and new designs.”– John, Staff Engineer
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