Job Abstract

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.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Urgent Field Support (UFS) Engineer in our Engineering Field Support (EFS) group at GA-ASI in Poway, CA. UFS needs talented, driven, and adaptive engineers to keep our systems operational, one aircraft or Ground Control Station (GCS) at a time.

Under general supervision with limited review, this position is responsible for determining and developing effective approaches to quickly solve a wide range of difficult, multidisciplinary engineering problems encountered on fielded systems. This primarily involves creation of engineering troubleshooting, repair, or rework recommendations that may be novel or outside the scope of released technical documentation. Investigations are typically conducted in an expeditious manner with functional engineering departments to determine root cause and appropriate corrective action. After investigations are completed, findings and corrective actions are documented and communicated directly to our customers and engineering staff in accordance with contracted deliverables.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be able to work a rotating, periodic on-call schedule for off-hour and weekend support.
• Obtain and maintain technical system-level knowledge of GA-ASI aircraft, ground control stations, and associated hardware, including related operational procedure and maintenance processes. Robust knowledge of systems and procedures is required to understand discrepancies and generate appropriate corrective action.
• Direct investigations of anomalies based on information provided by customers, available technical information, manuals, and standard scientific and engineering principles.
• Interface with design engineers, test engineers, program management, maintenance technicians, technical writers, pilots, and other professional staff to coordinate operational or maintenance workarounds, improved procedures, software updates, or hardware modifications as required in response to field incidents and anomalies.
• Author engineering memorandums and presentations for anomaly investigations to customers, GA-ASI technical staff, and executive leadership. Memorandums are a primary deliverable and may be required under an emergency timeframe.
• Direct the activities of designers and technicians and potentially lead and direct the activities of less experienced professional staff.
• Represent the organization to GA-ASI’s customers in describing solutions to technical issues associated with specific anomalies.
• Ensure that findings from any investigation are well-documented, and that required platform improvements or workarounds are successfully passed to the appropriate team for development and inclusion, as applicable.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Travel and provide on-location support if required. Most support by UFS is accomplished without the need for travel; however, on-site support may sometimes be necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Observe all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company

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 degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a broad understanding of multi-disciplinary engineering concepts, principles, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and expanded knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must possess proficient technical writing skills. A writing sample may be requested.
• Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work extended hours or weekends, as required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret level or above security clearance.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to perform complex tasks in multiple engineering areas.
• Must be able to lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi-routine tasks.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
  • MQ-9A, MQ-9B, MQ-1C, Predator XP, Avenger, or other Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), to include engineering development, support, maintenance, or operations.
  • Flight line support or System Test and Qualification (ST&Q).
  • Design (Aero, Structures, Electrical, Propulsion, etc.).
  • Specific aircraft, engineering, or maintainer qualifications (e.g., Airframe and Powerplant).
  • Certification and Airworthiness.
  • Telemetry review and analysis.