Principal Opto-Mechanical 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 Principal Opto-Mechanical 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.
With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude for initiating and developing designs, procedures, techniques and solution to resolving advanced opto-mechanical engineering problems. Assignments are normally outlined in terms of broad specifications, objectives, possible results anticipated and critical reference points requiring special attention. Guides the successful resolution of engineering problems, serves as a consulting resource of engineering knowledge, applies the latest technological advancements to the problem, and may function in a project leadership role. Documents findings, communicates results to engineering staff, makes technical presentations, and may represent the organization as the prime technical contact on small identifiable projects. Provides direction to design or technical staff and may lead a team of moderately experienced professional staff.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Guide architecture trades to search and find balanced technical, schedule and cost solutions for the customer.
- Documents work through drawings, presentations, analysis and test reports. Provides technical presentations as required to internal and external customers. Utilizes CAD software (Solidworks) for design generation.
- Provides expert guidance and consulting to other staff members working on difficult opto-mechanical problems.
- May assume technical and engineering responsibility of the success of an identifiable project.
- 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 the 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
- Supports and leads the engineering staff in the analysis, investigation and resolution of routine engineering problems.
- Independently performs challenging engineering work, documents findings, communicates results, makes technical presentations, and supports test activities both on 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 military applications
- Assists with requirement analysis, mission analysis, and design trade-offs.
- 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 the satellite system life cycle, including spacecraft development, environmental testing, launch, and operations.
- Prior experience in opto-mechanical engineering or optical related technologies. Understanding of optical integration techniques and considerations. Ability to assist or perform alone functional testing, data capture, alignment verification, etc.
- Demonstrates an extensive technical expertise and application of opto-mechanical principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with experience in project leadership.
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
- Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals, and capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
- Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
- Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Must be able to work in a lead capacity for various programs/projects / initiatives.
- Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
Salary:$140,940 - $252,293
Benefits
-
Healthcare
-
Pension, 401(k)/Retirement Plans
-
Competitive Pay
-
Multiple product lines means a variety of work
-
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
News
-
Featured Jobs
- Legal Assistant San Diego, California
- Senior Subcontract Administrator Poway, California
- Project Systems Engineer Poway, California
- Electrical Engineer, Hardware Description Language (MODEM), and Embedded Software San Diego, California
You have not recently viewed any jobs.
You have no saved jobs.
-
Featured Jobs
- Legal Assistant San Diego, California
- Senior Subcontract Administrator Poway, California
- Project Systems Engineer Poway, California
- Electrical Engineer, Hardware Description Language (MODEM), and Embedded Software San Diego, California
You have not recently viewed any jobs.
You have no saved jobs.
-
Featured Jobs
- Legal Assistant San Diego, California
- Senior Subcontract Administrator Poway, California
- Project Systems Engineer Poway, California
- Electrical Engineer, Hardware Description Language (MODEM), and Embedded Software San Diego, California
You have not recently viewed any jobs.
You have no saved jobs.