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 supports 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 Senior Systems Engineer with experience in High Power Lasers and Space Systems to join our team in San Diego, CA. The position will provide both technical leadership and systems engineering execution across the full development lifecycle, from concept through integration, test, and verification/validation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
Systems Engineering Leadership

• Lead systems engineering for laser systems and space payload programs from concept through deployment.
• Define annual and multi‑year technical objectives, roadmaps, and plans for assigned systems and programs.
• Serve as the prime technical expert and spokesperson for laser and space payload systems.
• Lead and mentor IPTs in the development, integration, and test of complex prototype and operational systems.
• Allocate technical resources and staff to meet technical, cost, and schedule objectives; support hiring and development of engineering personnel.
• Provide senior systems engineering support across programs, proposals, and internal R&D, including oversight of engineering documentation and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with standards, reporting, safety policies, and company regulations, maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Identify and help develop new or expanded business opportunities with program management and business development.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Integration & Test of Complex Systems

• Architect and oversee integration, verification, and validation activities for laser and space hardware, including environmental and performance testing.
• Lead system-level integration to ensure subsystems and assemblies meet performance, interface, and requirement baselines.
• Oversee documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates for integrated laser and space systems.

Systems Architecture and Development

• Lead requirements analysis and decomposition at system, segment, subsystem, and assembly levels for laser and space systems.
• Develop and refine laser systems and space payload architectures to meet mission, performance, cost, and interface goals.
• Guide integration of laser systems and space payload solutions within the broader system and enterprise architecture.

Mission and System Analysis

• Conduct mission and system-level analyses to derive and refine requirements, support trades, and validate performance against mission objectives.
• Anticipate future engineering needs and technologies and incorporate them into long-range system and mission plans.

Technical Reviews and Customer Engagement

• Lead preparation and delivery of technical content for major reviews (SRR, SFR, PDR, CDR, TRR) to internal leadership and customers.
• Act as primary technical interface with customers for ConOps development, requirements, design reviews, and test events.
• Lead or significantly contribute to proposals and white papers, including technical approaches, basis of estimates (BOE), and engineering scope.
• Publish and present technical work and participate in internal and external technical program reviews as a company technical expert.

Mentoring and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership to mechanical, electrical, optical, software, and test teams to resolve complex system issues.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers in systems engineering, MBSE, and integration and test practices.
• Communicate effectively with engineers, users, and management throughout the solution development cycle.

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

• Champion use of SysML-based tools (e.g., Cameo) to develop and maintain system models and diagrams.
• Develop and manage systems engineering artifacts and system views in an MBSE environment, including functional and logical views, requirements, ICDs, and performance specifications.
• Integrate MBSE models and artifacts into program planning, technical reviews, verification and validation, and configuration management.

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; fifteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, thirteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or ten or more years with a PhD.  May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Extensive systems engineering expertise, including project and/or technical leadership.
• Proven experience leading development, integration, and test of complex systems using formal verification and validation methods to ensure requirements compliance, including creation of systems engineering and test artifacts.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering processes, including requirements development/flow-down, system architecture, interface definition, and system/subsystem requirement interactions.
• Experience with digital engineering and MBSE tools, including SysML-based tools (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw) and requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS).
• Proficiency with standard business and engineering software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with customers, program management, and engineering teams, represent the organization as a prime technical contact, and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience with high-energy laser or directed energy optical systems, including design, integration, and test.
• Experience with space or satellite systems (e.g., payloads, bus subsystems, power and energy, guidance and control, mission systems).
• Hands-on integration and test experience, including development of test plans, procedures, and reports.
• Familiarity with space environmental test standards such as GEVS and SMC-S-016.
• Experience with digital engineering and collaboration tools (e.g., Confluence, Teams, JIRA, PLM/Windchill or similar PLM tools).
• Prior experience as an Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead on complex defense or space programs.
• Experience working with the Department of Defense or other U.S. government customers.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license, published technical work, or invited presentations at technical conferences or symposia.
• Active Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.