Payload Integration Project Engineer

Job Summary

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.

GA-ASI is seeking a Payload Integration Project Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, test, validation, deployment, and sustainment of communications intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) payloads on the MQ-9A aircraft.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical focal point for integrating and rearchitecting a suite of demonstrated RF sensing capabilities onto the platform baseline to optimize performance, reliability, and functionality. These capabilities include communications and radar signal detection, characterization, direction finding, geolocation, recording, analysis, and data dissemination. This position will coordinate with RF, electrical, mechanical, software, cybersecurity, networking, aircraft integration, test, manufacturing, and program management teams.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the technical execution and roadmap for select COMINT and ELINT payloads integrated onto the MQ-9 platform.
• Define and manage payload, aircraft, subsystem, and interface requirements.
• Lead payload architecture, trade studies, risk assessments, and technical analyses.
• Define and manage mechanical, electrical, thermal, RF, antenna, data, network, timing, cybersecurity, and ground-support interfaces.
• Coordinate integration of RF sensing, direction-finding, geolocation, mission-library, recording, processing, and dissemination capabilities.
• Lead payload design reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, Test Readiness Reviews, and flight-test readiness activities.
• Develop and manage integration, verification, and validation plans for laboratory, ground, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight-test environments.
• Lead the development of test procedures, test reports, discrepancy investigations, and corrective actions.
• Support aircraft installation, electromagnetic compatibility and interference assessments, ground testing, flight testing, operational evaluation, and deployment.
• Analyze test and flight data to verify performance and resolve technical issues.
• Coordinate configuration management, change management, manufacturing transition, obsolescence management, and sustainment activities.
• Provide technical leadership and collaboration with our integrating industry partners of these technologies.
• Support program planning, schedules, estimates, proposals, technical papers, customer presentations, and business-development activities.

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; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Five or more years of experience in systems engineering, payload integration, RF engineering, electronic warfare, SIGINT, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design, integration, test, verification, validation, and deployment of complex airborne payloads or mission systems.
• Experience in design and/or operation of COMINT, ELINT, electronic support measures, electronic warfare, RF sensing, or passive signal collection systems.

• Experience with one or more of the following:

• Wideband digital receivers or software-defined radios.

• Communications or radar signal processing.

• Direction finding, geolocation, emitter characterization, or sensor cueing.

• Mission libraries, emitter databases, RF recording, or post-mission analysis.

• Antenna arrays, coherent receivers, RF distribution, or electromagnetic compatibility.

• Experience defining and managing aircraft, hardware, software, RF, network, data, timing, mechanical, thermal, and power interfaces.

• Experience integrating payloads with manned or unmanned aircraft

• Experience with requirements traceability, configuration management, technical reviews, test planning, discrepancy resolution, and verification evidence.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and resolve complex technical problems.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex problems and organize multi-disciplinary efforts and teams

• Strong communication, leadership, presentation, planning, and organizational skills.

• Knowledge of DoD requirements-generation and acquisition processes is highly desirable.

• Must be customer-focused, self-motivated, and able to work independently and within a team.

• Must be willing to travel and support dedicated events for integration, testing, customer engagements, and deployment.

• Active DoD security clearance is required. Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance is desired.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 118,500 - 207,750