Survivability 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.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Survivability Engineer to support the development and hardware fabrication for advanced Low Observable platforms at General Atomics-ASI. This engineering position supports the design, analysis and development of integrated hardware solutions for advanced aircraft applications as a member of the Advanced Aircraft Engineering (AAE) organization. In Survivability Engineering capacity, you will be a part of a team that focuses on the design and building of platforms from prototype through production. This individual will work across multiple disciplines to ensure these advanced platforms meet design requirements, and will be responsible for ensuring Survivability results meet expectations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop tools to aid analysis and predictions of platform performance, such as first-order modeling, material property prediction or estimation, geometry fixing, and design optimization.
• Utilize industry standard tools for the prediction of RF properties for GA-ASI designs. Suggest design changes based on these predictions to meet program objectives.
• Guide and develop integrated RF solutions for a range of conventional and survivable platforms supported by results of numerical models and simulations in collaboration with senior personnel.
• Participate in the design and fabrication of measurement and test articles (“fixtures”, “pole models”) for validation of survivable designs.
• Author Survivability Program Plans to establish testing requirements and procedures to validate the as-built performance against engineering requirements. Implement test equipment and test procedures necessary to generate the required inspection data. Train QA and Engineering personnel to perform in-process inspections.
• Support testing efforts at outside facilities and mature in house RCS testing capabilities. The successful candidates will prepare test plans, interface with vendor personnel, and may require being onsite during testing to ensure test integrity.
• Demonstrate experience with survivable composite structures such that they can help guide design and requirements for new program builds. Be able to guide design and requirements for these programs to ensure results meet customer requirements.
• Develop tools to evaluate measured test data of platform performance, including transferring measured data to numerous 2D and 3D RCS analysis codes to inform design iterations.
• Provide technical support and leadership to ensure that work products meet requirements through simulation, fabrication and test. The successful candidate will prepare and present status and progress reports, PDR and CDR presentations, and formal proposals to senior level personnel and customers.
• Provide technical leadership to IRAD and CRAD projects targeting development and implementation of Survivability technologies.
• Ensure compliance, reporting, and safety standards are maintained. Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures.
• Observe all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.

• 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.
• Degree in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering is highly desirable.
• Previous experience designing and fabricating LO air vehicles.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment working cross functionally with other disciplines including industrial engineering, planning, scheduling, Quality Assurance &/or production planning.
• Experience with equipment used to apply all LO coating materials.
• Experience with robotically applied materials.
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering blueprints, process specifications and manufacturing planning.
• Experience leading an engineering team or project.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain SAP access.

• Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Demonstrated ability to solve logistical issues and lead efforts to drive mission success.
• Comfortable in working with a team of subject matter experts.
• Able to lead less-experienced engineers.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.