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 payload 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 Engineering (SE) Manager to lead our Systems Engineering team. The position is located in San Diego, CA, but supports business activities across the GA-EMS enterprise. We are looking for someone with diverse technical and execution experience, and organizational management experience who also thrives in a fast-paced development environment in support of our technology portfolios and, alongside high-caliber engineering management staff, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of products. This position reports to Senior Director of the Science and Technology Products (STP) Engineering directorate. As the senior manager of STP Systems Engineering, the successful candidate will nurture and enhance the organization to meet the increasing and diverse business demands for systems engineering support. The successful candidate will have technical, management, and administrative responsibility including planning, managing, and technical performance of systems engineering activities in support of GA-EMS business and quality assurance objectives. Candidates will contribute to the development of annual and long-term objectives for GA-EMS and represent the directorate and Engineering and Innovation with customers; ensure technical leadership and excellence are maintained; champion the development of new or expansion of existing business opportunities. Both direct and indirectly management through subordinate Engineering Managers is required to lead teams through all phases of engineering project(s) from inception through production and sustainment. Candidates will participate with technical staff, program managers and/or Division/Group executive management to develop and execute project plans. Will adhere to and be an advocate for GA-EMS process and procedures in support of technical, schedule, quality, business and financial objectives. Candidates will serve as a primary program interface for technical engineering matters. Candidates will actively participant in attracting, selecting and retaining technical talent and other professional staff, and act as an ethical role model for the technical staff and the Division, assuring integrity of General Atomics’ products and the development processes behind them. Candidates will sustain and enhance engineering tools (e.g. CAD, analysis) and infrastructure in support of our business objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Provide leadership and direct all STP Systems Engineering activities including planning and managing technical performance to ensure quality, business and financial objectives are attained.
- May participate in and support input for contract negotiations and contract modifications.
- May participate in the development of new business opportunities and expansion of existing business opportunities.
- Participate in the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
- Act as the primary contact for STP Systems Engineering activities, lead progress review sessions to discuss costs, schedule, and technical performance.
- Establish design concepts, criteria and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and testing, productization, production and sustainment.
- Establish the directorate(s) master plan(s) and milestones and monitor adherence to master plan and schedules
- Identify engineering issues and provides leadership in developing solutions.
- May participate in annual and long-term technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives for the program(s)/project(s) and participate in the development of Division/Group/Company objectives.
- Direct and actively participate in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of staff to ensure the availability of the required management, professional, and technical talent.
- Direct the development and ensures the security of the unit’s proprietary technology.
- May participate in the development of new business opportunities and expansion of existing business opportunities.
- Formulate plans, typically long-term, and coordinate solutions development and deployment including documentation, reporting, publishing, and making technical and other presentations to ensure viability of the solutions in an evolving environment.
- Plan for future applications of solutions based on new developments in engineering technology.
- Participate in or may lead the development of new or expansion of existing business opportunities.
- Communicate with colleagues and management throughout solution development and deployment cycles.
- Represent the company as a prime technical contact on contracts and/or projects and interact with senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations.
- 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.
- Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as thirteen or more years of progressively complex engineering experience with at least seven of those years having management responsibilities. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
- Active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher is required.
- Demonstrated detailed and broad technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as comprehensive project management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
- Must possess the ability to resolve complex management and technical problems; serve as spokesperson on engineering projects; and be a technical expert in one or more areas of engineering.
- Demonstrated experience as a lead engineer or integrator in one or more complex system development efforts, and design experience in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Experience across multiple engineering areas, as well as system level engineering integration.
- Demonstrated leadership ability through direction of highly technical and complex engineering problems.
- Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
- Customer focused, must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment, and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a top-secret DOD clearance
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Direct experience opto-mechanical systems including lasers and optical sensors, high vacuum systems, and aerospace systems, satellite systems, and corresponding air/space environmental requirements, and design for manufacturing.
- Direct experience with systems engineering disciplines such as reliability, logistics, supportability, & human-machine interface.
- Experience in Department of Defense systems development and engineering practices.
- Demonstrate an extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads of an engineering unit 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 to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and/or professionals.
- Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
- Some travel and extended work schedules may be required.
- A Professional Engineering License, and original work(s) published in professional engineering journals are desirable.
