Chief Systems Engineer

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 (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 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 Chief Systems Engineer in our Herndon, VA office which is part of our Electromagnetic Systems group. The Herndon team provides innovative, cutting-edge, security solutions for the United States Government. Our employees provide a multi-disciplinary, sometimes non-traditional, approach to generate innovative solutions to incredibly challenging technical problems in the national security arena. Our areas of expertise are in spacecraft payload and system development (especially in the confines of implementing very large amounts of functionality in extremely small, power-constrained environments); unique system development; ground control and operational software development; embedded software development; and unique cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sets the overall technical vision and strategy for complex engineering solutions and major project and program portfolios, formulating long term plans for solution development, documentation, deployment, and compliance with reporting and safety standards.
• Leads and oversees the integration of engineering solutions within the broader engineering and operational environment; ensures that documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates are complete, consistent, and technically sound.
• Serves as the primary technical authority and prime technical contact on key contracts and programs; communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, senior management, and senior external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination across organizations.
• Establishes and approves technical objectives and architectures for solutions to highly complex and advanced technical engineering problems, balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Represents the organization as the chief technical contact within engineering teams for multiple or strategically important projects and programs.
• Functions in a chief engineer or senior advisory role, providing technical direction, guidance, and mentorship to senior and less experienced professional staff and multi disciplinary teams.
• Formulates plans and directs the development and implementation of engineering solutions, including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration, and compliance with safety, security, and regulatory standards.
• Plans and oversees the maintenance and evolution of engineering solutions, including documentation, reporting, publishing, and technical presentations to ensure long term viability of solutions in an evolving threat and technology environment.
• Identifies, evaluates, and plans for future applications of solutions based on new developments in engineering technology, mission needs, and customer priorities.
• Leads or plays a key technical role in the development of new or expansion of existing business opportunities, including capture activities, technical solution development, and proposal support.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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.
• Demonstrates detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of systems engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice, with a proven ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate complex workloads and multi disciplinary teams to meet established deadlines or milestones, including significant experience in project or program technical leadership or chief engineer roles.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in an evolving environment; strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and professionals; the capability of representing the organization as the primary technical authority; and the ability to provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to senior and less experienced professionals.
• Real world experience with system architecture, requirements tracking, developing and tracking system budgets, and performing system level analyses in support of trade studies and major design decisions.
• Extensive experience with orbital dynamics, attitude control systems, orbital visualization, and other spacecraft modeling tools.
• Deep understanding of principles for spacecraft design, build, test, and operation, including integration and test, launch, on orbit checkout, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience with CONOPS design and mission modeling, including end to end mission scenarios and operational concepts.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, enabling an effective leadership interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
• Customer focused, with a track record of formulating and executing plans based on the development of innovative designs to resolve advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work on a self initiated basis and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• US Citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.