Vehicle Management System (VMS) IPT Lead

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leader in remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars. They are seeking an experienced Project / Systems Engineer to lead the Vehicle Management System (VMS) Integration, Test, and Production (IPT) for a next-generation Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) and its prototypes. This role is based in the Advanced Programs Office and reports to an Engineering Director.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the prime technical contact and IPT lead for the Vehicle Management System and related flight-critical electronic equipment on the UCAV program.
• Lead the design, integration, and test of embedded navigation/guidance units and other VMS-related avionics, including interface definition, hardware integration, and software coordination.
• Analyze aircraft-level requirements and flow them down to VMS/navigation system specifications, ICDs, and verification plans.
• Provide technical oversight of key vendors/subcontractors, participating in design reviews, monitoring technical progress, and ensuring qualification and integration deliverables meet program needs.
• Support ground, lab, and flight test activities for VMS-related systems, including test plan development, execution support, and artifact collection for airworthiness/certification.
• Maintain and drive closure of issue trackers and action lists for VMS scope, resolving technical and process roadblocks in coordination with flight controls, avionics, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Prepare and present clear technical documentation and presentations for internal design reviews, customer/program reviews, and airworthiness/flight authorization packages, reflecting strong documentation and review practices used on prior programs.
• Support Bid & Proposal efforts by contributing to technical concepts, configuration trades, and integration plans for future VMS-related work.
• Direct the work of design and technical staff and lead small, cross-functional teams, providing guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
• Devises new approaches to resolve unusual or complex engineering problems and anticipate future engineering needs and required design modifications.

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:
• Nine or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, seven or more years of experience with a master's degree, or four or more years with a PhD.
• May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Develop innovative but practical solutions to advanced technical engineering problems and anticipate future engineering needs and required design modifications.
• Independently initiate and develop designs, procedures, and techniques to resolve complex system-integration and certification challenges.
• Represent the organization as a prime technical contact on identifiable projects and lead cross-functional coordination with internal teams and external vendors.
• Organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones, with experience in project/IPT leadership.
• Strong skills in:
• Cross-disciplinary coordination (acting as liaison between electrical, software, flight controls, avionics, mission systems, EWIS, manufacturing, and suppliers), similar to existing IPT leads who manage integration and IMS coordination.
• Techical documentation and redline management, including preparation of airworthiness/flight-authorization-like packages, memos, and review materials.
• Clear, concise verbal and written communication for internal and external technical presentations.
• Working both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced prototype environment.

Preferred Background

• Experience with aircraft system integration and safety-critical systems (e.g., vehicle management, navigation, guidance, or similar).