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Flight Controls Advanced Programs Engineer

Poway, California

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Overview

General Atomics pioneers technologies with the potential to change the world. Behind a talented global team of engineers, GA delivers safe, sustainable, and economical solutions to meet growing global demands. Our Engineers have an opportunity to work on first of a kind product lines within an incredible, dynamic environment.

Engineering positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience. Candidates from mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering backgrounds must know the fundamentals of engineering system developments, requirements, testing, and integration before getting to the final stages of customer interface and project management.

  • Schedule: Full-Time Salary

  • Job Level: Senior (8+ years)

  • Travel: 0 - 25

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Success Profile

What makes a successful Flight Controls Advanced Programs Engineer at General Atomics? Check out the top traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right mix.

  • Analytical
  • Collaborative
  • Inventive
  • Problem Solver
  • Team Player
  • Creative

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Date posted 04/29/2024 Job ID 44576BR Company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Experience Level Senior (8+ years) Job Title Flight Controls Advanced Programs Engineer City Poway State California Workstyle Hybrid Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Salary Salary Range $105,890 - $189,545

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.

The Advanced Programs group within the Flight Technologies department has an exciting opportunity in San Diego, CA (Poway, CA) for a Flight Controls Advanced Programs Engineer. The department seeks guidance, navigation, and flight control engineers who are proficient not only in control law design and analysis but also in the flight-critical software production and in all phases of a new aircraft development program, including requirements development, clean-sheet design, software integration and validation, flight test planning, and analysis of flight data through prototype flight tests.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Discrete flight control law design, classical stability analysis, Lyapunov stability analysis, and flying qualities analysis.
  • Translate the physics of flight control avionics, the aerodynamic characteristics, and the mass properties of a conceptual aircraft into MATLAB scripts and Simulink models for real-time simulation.
  • Construct the MATLAB/Simulink model for automatic code generation.
  • Independently verify and validate the embedded control law software on the simulated hardware and on the actual hardware.
  • Decompose the mission use cases to the control system requirements that are compliant with adequate MIL Specs.
  • Independently setup a flight control subsystem test bench for requirement compliance testing.
  • Adapt advanced control theory for special projects.
  • Execute selection, development, integration, and flight test of COTS autopilot systems in smaller scale flight vehicles.
  • Develop analytic tools as needed for advanced configurations.
  • Perform GNC-related tasks for all phases of a new aircraft development program, including requirements development, clean-sheet design, software integration and validation, flight test planning, and analysis of flight data through prototype flight tests.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.


Job Qualifications:
  • 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; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Degree in aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, or related engineering field is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Comfortable in following a stringent software process for flight code production.
  • Comfortable in working with a team of subject matter experts.
  • Able to lead less-experienced engineers.
  • Above-average documentation and communication skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security clearance is required.
  • MATLAB scripting.
  • Simulink model programming.
  • Stateflow model programming.
  • Automatic code generation using MathWorks toolset.
  • Coding in C or C++ programming language.

Salary:$105,890 - $189,545
Travel Percentage Required 0 - 25 Relocation Assistance Provided Provided US Citizenship Required? Yes Clearance Required? Desired Clearance Level Secret
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Benefits

  • Healthcare

  • Pension, 401(k)/Retirement Plans

  • Competitive Pay

  • Multiple product lines means a variety of work

  • Paid Time Off

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“The company is growing, has a very good reputation and had open positions in my area of expertise (aircraft design/design methodology development).”
– Peter, Senior Staff Engineer
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“We don't ascribe to quotas; we do ascribe to securing the BEST talent to enrich our culture toward healthy diversification and active/viable community service. We are STEM advocates.”
– Debra, CSSBB: Staff Engineer
Image of Scott, Laser Scientist
“Every day is different, with different problems to solve and many programs to support. I am a problem solver and have always been motivated by the tough questions.”
– Scott, Laser Scientist
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“I work in the Components Engineering and Obsolescence Management Dept. Our efforts are saving General Atomics several millions of dollars by proactively leading and informing the company of all these decisions which significantly impact production, sustainment and new designs.”
– John, Staff Engineer

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