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Urgent Field Support 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: Mid-Level (3-7 years)

  • Travel: 0 - 25

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Success Profile

What makes a successful Urgent Field Support 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 03/25/2024 Job ID 44189BR Company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Experience Level Mid-Level (3-7 years) Job Title Urgent Field Support Engineer City Poway State California Workstyle Hybrid Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Salary Salary Range $81,080 - $141,650

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 Urgent Field Support (UFS) Engineer in our Engineering Field Support (EFS) group at GA-ASI in Poway, CA. UFS needs talented, driven, and adaptive engineers to keep our systems operational, one aircraft or Ground Control Station (GCS) at a time.

Under general supervision with limited review, this position is responsible for determining and developing effective approaches to quickly solve a wide range of difficult, multidisciplinary engineering problems encountered on fielded systems. This primarily involves creation of engineering troubleshooting, repair, or rework recommendations that may be novel or outside the scope of released technical documentation. Investigations are typically conducted in an expeditious manner with functional engineering departments to determine root cause and appropriate corrective action. After investigations are completed, findings and corrective actions are documented and communicated directly to our customers and engineering staff in accordance with contracted deliverables.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Be able to work a rotating, periodic on-call schedule for off-hour and weekend support.
  • Obtain and maintain technical system-level knowledge of GA-ASI aircraft, ground control stations, and associated hardware, including related operational procedure and maintenance processes. Robust knowledge of systems and procedures is required to understand discrepancies and generate appropriate corrective action.
  • Direct investigations of anomalies based on information provided by customers, available technical information, manuals, and standard scientific and engineering principles.
  • Interface with design engineers, test engineers, program management, maintenance technicians, technical writers, pilots, and other professional staff to coordinate operational or maintenance workarounds, improved procedures, software updates, or hardware modifications as required in response to field incidents and anomalies.
  • Author engineering memorandums and presentations for anomaly investigations to customers, GA-ASI technical staff, and executive leadership. Memorandums are a primary deliverable and may be required under an emergency timeframe.
  • Direct the activities of designers and technicians and potentially lead and direct the activities of less experienced professional staff.
  • Represent the organization to GA-ASI’s customers in describing solutions to technical issues associated with specific anomalies.
  • Ensure that findings from any investigation are well-documented, and that required platform improvements or workarounds are successfully passed to the appropriate team for development and inclusion, as applicable.
  • Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Travel and provide on-location support if required. Most support by UFS is accomplished without the need for travel; however, on-site support may sometimes be necessary.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
  • Observe all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company

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; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
  • Must have a broad understanding of multi-disciplinary engineering concepts, principles, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and expanded knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
  • Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
  • Must possess proficient technical writing skills. A writing sample may be requested.
  • Must have excellent communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Must be able to work extended hours or weekends, as required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret level or above security clearance.
  • Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Must be able to perform complex tasks in multiple engineering areas.
  • Must be able to lead a team of less experienced professional employees on semi-routine tasks.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance is required.
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
    • MQ-9A, MQ-9B, MQ-1C, Predator XP, Avenger, or other Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), to include engineering development, support, maintenance, or operations.
    • Flight line support or System Test and Qualification (ST&Q).
    • Design (Aero, Structures, Electrical, Propulsion, etc.).
    • Specific aircraft, engineering, or maintainer qualifications (e.g., Airframe and Powerplant).
    • Certification and Airworthiness.
    • Telemetry review and analysis.

Salary:$81,080 - $141,650
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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Image of Peter, Senior Staff Engineer
“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
Image of Debra, CSSBB: Staff Engineer
“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
Image of John, Staff Engineer
“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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