Electrical Engineering Director

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 an Electrical Engineering Director!

Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of design engineering programs including planning, technical execution, integration, testing and production to ensure quality, schedule, business, and financial objectives are attained.
• Collaborate closely with software engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, human resources, program management, and executive leadership teams.
• Develop and implement current, annual and long-term technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives for the EE design engineering unit(s) and may also participate in the development of Group/Company objectives.
• Establish engineering design concepts, architecture, criteria, and development strategies for research, product development, testing, integration, and certification activities.
• Lead engineering progress reviews focused on cost, schedule, technical performance, program risks, and resource allocation.
• Identify technical and organizational challenges and implement corrective actions including resource realignment, schedule recovery planning, and scope adjustments when required.
• Ensure technical leadership and engineering excellence through recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining high-performing engineering talent.
• Interact with senior management concerning matters of significance to the company. Act as primary contact for engineering activities.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as fifteen or more years of progressively complex design / electrical engineering experience with at least nine of those years having management responsibilities.
• May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Proven track record delivering complex aerospace or defense programs on time and within budget.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and engineering teams simultaneously.
• Extensive technical expertise in electrical and avionics system design and integration.
• Strong project management, organizational, planning, scheduling, and coordination skills.
• Ability to resolve highly complex technical and organizational challenges.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively interface with executive leadership, customers, government representatives, suppliers, and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License and published technical works are considered desirable qualifications.

Technical Expertise

• Strong working knowledge and practical experience in:
• Aircraft avionics design for unmanned aircraft systems
• Power conversion and power system architecture
• Vehicle management system (VMS) design
• Servo driver design
• Flight computer design
• Solid-state switching systems
• Analog signal acquisition and filtering
• Design for EMI/EMC compliance
• Aerospace electrical system integration
• Environmental qualification and airworthiness certification

Leadership Characteristics

• Strong technical judgment and practical engineering decision-making
• Ability to apply urgency and resources appropriately when programs fall behind schedule
• Respect for and collaboration with subject matter experts
• Sound decision-making regarding tradeoffs between cost, schedule, risk, and technical perfection
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capability
• Calm, effective leadership in fast-paced and high-pressure environments
• Commitment to technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement