Airframe Project Development Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a world leader in remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars. They are seeking an Advanced Airframe Project Engineer to lead the development and integration of advanced airframe and structural systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the principal technical authority for complex airframe/structures subsystem projects, from concept through flight demonstration.
• Define and manage system and subsystem requirements, internal statements of work, and technical performance measures for advanced airframe development.
• Drive conceptual and preliminary design trades (weight, cost, manufacturability, survivability, maintainability) and make recommendations that have long term impact on program and product strategy.
• Provide senior technical oversight and review of structural design, loads, stress, materials & processes, and test activities to ensure robust, certifiable, and producible solutions.
• Champion the development and integration of new structural concepts, materials, and processes into operational systems.
• Own the technical strategy and content for airframe structure suppliers, including statements of work, technical data packages, design standards, and acceptance criteria.
• Champion design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) and ensure structural concepts are optimized for rate production, cost, and quality.
• Oversee the transition of advanced designs to manufacturing, resolving complex build and integration issues and driving continuous improvement with internal and external partners.
• Build and lead cross-disciplinary teams (Aerostructures Design, Loads, Analysis, M&P, Survivability, Manufacturing, Tooling, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, Flight Test, Program Management) to achieve project and program objectives.
• Develop and execute tactical plans aligned with program schedules, budgets, and multi-year technical roadmaps for advanced airframe technologies.
• Proactively manage project scope, technical risk, and cross-program structural challenges; advise program leadership on structural risk, opportunity, and trade space.
• Mentor and develop engineers across design, analysis, and manufacturing disciplines; promote best practices, knowledge sharing, and technical rigor in advanced airframe development.
• Participate in the planning, attraction, and retention of key technical talent within the airframe structures domain.
• Interact with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and customers, to resolve technical issues and influence program direction.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality technical presentations, design reviews, and documentation for critical internal and customer milestones.
• Represent GA-ASI as a recognized technical authority in advanced airframe development, including participation in customer forums, industry working groups, and technical reviews as appropriate.
• Contribute to the definition of long-term technical objectives and roadmaps for designated airframe systems and related technologies.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree, master's 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 bachelor's degree,
• Sixteen or more years of experience with a master's degree,
• Thirteen or more years with a PhD.
• May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex aircraft airframe/structural systems.
• Hands-on experience with composite structures (design, stress, M&P, and/or manufacturing).
• Proven ability to lead multi-discipline engineering efforts and make high-impact technical decisions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; comfortable interfacing with senior customers and leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and Excel; experience with PLM/CAD/analysis tools is a plus.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance required.