Senior Embedded Lead Engineer, Embedded Controls and Digital Systems

About the Role

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. We are seeking a Senior Embedded Lead Engineer to join our Electrical Technologies team in Rancho Bernardo. The successful candidate will work in a fast-paced R&D environment, contributing to High Energy Laser (HEL) Systems, advanced airborne sensors, laser communications systems for space applications, and other GA-EMS technologies.

Responsibilities

• Work with GA-EMS Engineering staff and chief engineers in the concept development, prototype design, integration, and test of embedded processing and control solutions for HEL systems, advanced sensors, laser communications, space systems, and other GA-EMS products.
• Serve as the embedded technical lead for assigned programs, owning the embedded architecture and guiding implementation across microcontrollers, SoCs, and flight/mission computers.
• Architect, implement, and review embedded C/C++ software for real-time or near-real-time control, telemetry, command, and timing functions, including low-level drivers, board support packages, and application-level logic.
• Develop Linux-based software and tools (C/C++ and Python) for test, automation, and ground support equipment, including hardware abstraction layers (HALs), test executives, and scripting frameworks that interface directly with embedded hardware.
• Generate embedded system architectures for new project needs; decompose system-level requirements into unit-level and component-level requirements and maintain requirements-to-verification traceability.
• Perform digital interface design and analysis for avionics and control boards, including SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, and mixed-signal interfaces to sensors, actuators, and communication devices.
• Lead or support PCB design efforts for embedded control and avionics applications (e.g., microcontroller-based control boards, payload adapter boards), ensuring firmware/hardware co-design and testability.
• Establish and enforce best practices for software development and configuration management (e.g., git workflows, code reviews, branching strategies) for embedded and AI&T contributors; provide training and guidance.
• Prepare and conduct detailed technical presentations and reviews (PDR/CDR, design reviews, test readiness reviews), and author comprehensive documentation such as ICDs, interface specifications, communication/packet structures, user guides, and prototyping reports.
• Provide direction and guidance to less experienced staff or teams in technical efforts involving embedded system development and integration.
• Formulate plans and coordinate solution development and deployment, including documentation, reporting, publishing, and technical presentations.
• Communicate with colleagues, management, customers, and government representatives throughout solution development and deployment cycles; may represent the organization as a prime technical contact on embedded design projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

Typically requires a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, along with progressive engineering experience as follows: fifteen or more years with a bachelor’s degree, thirteen or more years with a master’s degree, or ten or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Required Experience: Embedded C/C++ development; embedded controls; analysis, design, and implementation of embedded hardware and software systems, including digital interfaces, mixed-signal (analog/digital) circuitry, and integration of sensors, actuators, and communication devices.
• Desirable Experience: Embedded electronics and software for space applications and HEL systems; embedded controls in power electronics or high-power computing; digital or microprocessor control of power supplies and control systems; leading embedded designs from concept through development, integration, qualification, and into production.

Skills

• Linux-based software development; Python for test and automation.
• Experience with Altium or PADS PCB design tools; SPICE circuit simulation tools.
• Basic FPGA/HDL familiarity (e.g., VHDL) for system-level integration; MATLAB; LabVIEW.
• Microsoft Project or equivalent project planning tools.
• Technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet deadlines or milestones.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering efforts, serving as the technical lead for embedded system design from requirements definition through architecture, implementation, integration, verification, and delivery.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in an evolving project environment, including rapid response to design changes and schedule-driven integration tasks.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and professionals.
• Capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact on embedded system design and integration efforts.
• Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on innovative new embedded designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Ability to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment.
• Ability to prepare and conduct detailed technical presentations and reviews.
• Some travel and extended work schedules may be required.

Pay

Salary range: $128,130 - $229,358