{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"a4393f8bb73ea78d3d06148a","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4393f8bb73ea78d3d06148a","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4393f8bb73ea78d3d06148a","title":"Systems Engineer - Payloads","description":"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.\n\nWith limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis, development, integration, and implementation of engineering solutions for designated systems, subsystems, capabilities, or projects/programs.\n\nFunctions as a senior technical contributor and may serve as a technical lead for assigned engineering activities. Applies broad systems engineering knowledge and demonstrated domain expertise to resolve complex technical problems, develop and maintain requirements and system architectures, evaluate interfaces and integration impacts, support verification and validation activities, and coordinate engineering activities across functional disciplines.\nParticipates in planning and execution throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition and decomposition, architecture development, preliminary and final design reviews, integration, qualification, test, fielding, and sustainment.\n\nWorks closely with engineering disciplines, program management, customers, suppliers, and government representatives and may represent the organization as a technical point of contact for assigned systems, subsystems, or capabilities.\n\nThis position will have particular emphasis on payload and weapons integration, along with supporting environmental requirements and qualification activities for unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground systems.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nDetermines technical objectives and approaches for assigned systems, subsystems, capabilities, or engineering projects.\nServes as a technical lead or subject matter resource for assigned areas of responsibility.\nPerforms systems engineering activities throughout the system development lifecycle, including:\n\nRequirements development, decomposition, allocation, and traceability.\nFunctional and physical architecture development.\nInterface definition and management.\nTrade studies and technical assessments.\nVerification and validation planning.\nIntegration and test support.\nTechnical risk identification and mitigation.\n\nLeads or supports the integration of payloads, sensors, mission equipment, and/or weapon systems onto complex aerospace or unmanned aircraft platforms.\nEvaluates payload and weapon integration impacts across aircraft, avionics, electrical power, mechanical, software, data link, ground control, safety, and test organizations.\nDevelops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, component, and interface requirements.\nSupports development and maintenance of interface control documents, specifications, system architectures, and other systems engineering technical data.\nSupports environmental requirements definition, allocation, qualification planning, and verification, including environmental considerations associated with externally and internally mounted equipment.\nCoordinates environmental requirements with design, structural, mechanical, electrical, test, airworthiness, safety, suppliers, and other engineering organizations.\nSupports evaluation of environmental qualification considerations such as temperature, vibration, shock, altitude, humidity, electromagnetic effects, and other applicable operating environments.\nParticipates in and presents engineering material at technical interchange meetings and major program reviews such as SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR/FDR, TRR, and related technical reviews.\nWorks with multidisciplinary engineering organizations to identify and resolve complex integration issues.\nEvaluates proposed engineering changes for system-level impacts and ensures appropriate requirements, interfaces, architecture, verification, and documentation are updated.\nSupports system integration, laboratory testing, ground testing, and flight testing as required.\nInterfaces with customers, subcontractors, suppliers, and government representatives on assigned technical matters.\nProvides technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineering staff.\nMay coordinate the activities of other engineers or small multidisciplinary technical teams.\nSupports development of technical estimates, engineering plans, schedules, risks, and resource needs.\nContributes to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, methods, and technical products.\nMaintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.\nPerforms other duties as assigned.\nResponsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.\nExpected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices with limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis, development, integration, and implementation of engineering solutions for designated systems, subsystems, capabilities, or projects/programs.\nFunctions as a senior technical contributor and may serve as a technical lead for assigned engineering activities.\nApplies broad systems engineering knowledge and demonstrated domain expertise to resolve complex technical problems, develop and maintain requirements and system architectures, evaluate interfaces and integration impacts, support verification and validation activities, and coordinate engineering activities across functional disciplines.\nParticipates in planning and execution throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition and decomposition, architecture development, preliminary and final design reviews, integration, qualification, test, fielding, and sustainment.\nWorks closely with engineering disciplines, program management, customers, suppliers, and government representatives and may represent the organization as a technical point of contact for assigned systems, subsystems, or capabilities.\nThis position will have particular emphasis on payload and weapons integration, along with supporting environmental requirements and qualification activities for unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground systems.\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically 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 consistent with an Engineer V position. Equivalent engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of education as permitted by company policy.\nDemonstrates extensive technical knowledge and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice.\nDemonstrated experience performing systems engineering activities on complex aerospace, defense, unmanned systems, or similarly complex multidisciplinary systems.\nDemonstrated ability to independently resolve complex technical problems and coordinate solutions across multiple engineering disciplines.\nExperience with requirements development, decomposition, allocation, traceability, interfaces, system architecture, integration, verification, and validation.\nExperience with payload and/or weapons integration is highly desired.\nExperience integrating mission equipment such as sensors, communications equipment, mission computers, stores, effectors, or other payload systems onto aircraft or unmanned platforms is highly desired.\nFamiliarity with aircraft integration considerations including mechanical installation, electrical power, data/interfaces, communications, software, thermal/environmental constraints, safety, airworthiness, and verification is desired.\nExperience developing, interpreting, allocating, or verifying environmental requirements is desired.\nFamiliarity with environmental qualification and test standards applicable to aerospace or military systems, including standards such as MIL-STD-810, is highly desired.\nExperience supporting system-level integration, laboratory test, ground test, and/or flight test activities is desired.\nExperience participating in major engineering lifecycle reviews such as SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR/FDR, TRR, or equivalent reviews is desired.\nExperience with requirements management tools such as Jama, DOORS, or equivalent is desired.\nExperience with Model-Based Systems Engineering and architecture tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, SysML, or equivalent is desirable.\nFamiliarity with interface control documentation, specification development, configuration management, and requirements change control is desirable.\nExperience working with suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and government organizations is desirable.\nStrong communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.\nMust be capable of communicating complex technical topics to engineering teams, program leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.\nMust be able to work independently with limited supervision while effectively operating within multidisciplinary teams.\nAbility to provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers is required.\nCustomer-focused with demonstrated ability to balance technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, and program objectives.\nExperience with unmanned aircraft systems, military aircraft, mission systems, payloads, weapons/stores integration, or related defense aerospace systems is highly desirable.\nMust be able to work extended hours as required.\nAbility to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nHybrid\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n105,890\n\nPay Range High\n\n189,545\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nNo\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","company":"General Atomics","rawCompany":"general atomics","city":"Poway","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-16T11:33:24.547Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Systems Engineer - Payloads","description":"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.\n\nWith limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis, development, integration, and implementation of engineering solutions for designated systems, subsystems, capabilities, or projects/programs.\n\nFunctions as a senior technical contributor and may serve as a technical lead for assigned engineering activities. Applies broad systems engineering knowledge and demonstrated domain expertise to resolve complex technical problems, develop and maintain requirements and system architectures, evaluate interfaces and integration impacts, support verification and validation activities, and coordinate engineering activities across functional disciplines.\nParticipates in planning and execution throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition and decomposition, architecture development, preliminary and final design reviews, integration, qualification, test, fielding, and sustainment.\n\nWorks closely with engineering disciplines, program management, customers, suppliers, and government representatives and may represent the organization as a technical point of contact for assigned systems, subsystems, or capabilities.\n\nThis position will have particular emphasis on payload and weapons integration, along with supporting environmental requirements and qualification activities for unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground systems.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nDetermines technical objectives and approaches for assigned systems, subsystems, capabilities, or engineering projects.\nServes as a technical lead or subject matter resource for assigned areas of responsibility.\nPerforms systems engineering activities throughout the system development lifecycle, including:\n\nRequirements development, decomposition, allocation, and traceability.\nFunctional and physical architecture development.\nInterface definition and management.\nTrade studies and technical assessments.\nVerification and validation planning.\nIntegration and test support.\nTechnical risk identification and mitigation.\n\nLeads or supports the integration of payloads, sensors, mission equipment, and/or weapon systems onto complex aerospace or unmanned aircraft platforms.\nEvaluates payload and weapon integration impacts across aircraft, avionics, electrical power, mechanical, software, data link, ground control, safety, and test organizations.\nDevelops, reviews, and maintains system, subsystem, component, and interface requirements.\nSupports development and maintenance of interface control documents, specifications, system architectures, and other systems engineering technical data.\nSupports environmental requirements definition, allocation, qualification planning, and verification, including environmental considerations associated with externally and internally mounted equipment.\nCoordinates environmental requirements with design, structural, mechanical, electrical, test, airworthiness, safety, suppliers, and other engineering organizations.\nSupports evaluation of environmental qualification considerations such as temperature, vibration, shock, altitude, humidity, electromagnetic effects, and other applicable operating environments.\nParticipates in and presents engineering material at technical interchange meetings and major program reviews such as SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR/FDR, TRR, and related technical reviews.\nWorks with multidisciplinary engineering organizations to identify and resolve complex integration issues.\nEvaluates proposed engineering changes for system-level impacts and ensures appropriate requirements, interfaces, architecture, verification, and documentation are updated.\nSupports system integration, laboratory testing, ground testing, and flight testing as required.\nInterfaces with customers, subcontractors, suppliers, and government representatives on assigned technical matters.\nProvides technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineering staff.\nMay coordinate the activities of other engineers or small multidisciplinary technical teams.\nSupports development of technical estimates, engineering plans, schedules, risks, and resource needs.\nContributes to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, methods, and technical products.\nMaintains strict confidentiality of sensitive information.\nPerforms other duties as assigned.\nResponsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.\nExpected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices with limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the analysis, development, integration, and implementation of engineering solutions for designated systems, subsystems, capabilities, or projects/programs.\nFunctions as a senior technical contributor and may serve as a technical lead for assigned engineering activities.\nApplies broad systems engineering knowledge and demonstrated domain expertise to resolve complex technical problems, develop and maintain requirements and system architectures, evaluate interfaces and integration impacts, support verification and validation activities, and coordinate engineering activities across functional disciplines.\nParticipates in planning and execution throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition and decomposition, architecture development, preliminary and final design reviews, integration, qualification, test, fielding, and sustainment.\nWorks closely with engineering disciplines, program management, customers, suppliers, and government representatives and may represent the organization as a technical point of contact for assigned systems, subsystems, or capabilities.\nThis position will have particular emphasis on payload and weapons integration, along with supporting environmental requirements and qualification activities for unmanned aircraft systems and associated ground systems.\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically 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 consistent with an Engineer V position. Equivalent engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of education as permitted by company policy.\nDemonstrates extensive technical knowledge and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice.\nDemonstrated experience performing systems engineering activities on complex aerospace, defense, unmanned systems, or similarly complex multidisciplinary systems.\nDemonstrated ability to independently resolve complex technical problems and coordinate solutions across multiple engineering disciplines.\nExperience with requirements development, decomposition, allocation, traceability, interfaces, system architecture, integration, verification, and validation.\nExperience with payload and/or weapons integration is highly desired.\nExperience integrating mission equipment such as sensors, communications equipment, mission computers, stores, effectors, or other payload systems onto aircraft or unmanned platforms is highly desired.\nFamiliarity with aircraft integration considerations including mechanical installation, electrical power, data/interfaces, communications, software, thermal/environmental constraints, safety, airworthiness, and verification is desired.\nExperience developing, interpreting, allocating, or verifying environmental requirements is desired.\nFamiliarity with environmental qualification and test standards applicable to aerospace or military systems, including standards such as MIL-STD-810, is highly desired.\nExperience supporting system-level integration, laboratory test, ground test, and/or flight test activities is desired.\nExperience participating in major engineering lifecycle reviews such as SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR/FDR, TRR, or equivalent reviews is desired.\nExperience with requirements management tools such as Jama, DOORS, or equivalent is desired.\nExperience with Model-Based Systems Engineering and architecture tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, SysML, or equivalent is desirable.\nFamiliarity with interface control documentation, specification development, configuration management, and requirements change control is desirable.\nExperience working with suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and government organizations is desirable.\nStrong communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.\nMust be capable of communicating complex technical topics to engineering teams, program leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.\nMust be able to work independently with limited supervision while effectively operating within multidisciplinary teams.\nAbility to provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers is required.\nCustomer-focused with demonstrated ability to balance technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, and program objectives.\nExperience with unmanned aircraft systems, military aircraft, mission systems, payloads, weapons/stores integration, or related defense aerospace systems is highly desirable.\nMust be able to work extended hours as required.\nAbility to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance is required.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nHybrid\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n105,890\n\nPay Range High\n\n189,545\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nNo\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","datePosted":"2026-09-16T11:33:24.547Z","dateModified":"2026-09-16T11:33:24.547Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"General Atomics","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Poway","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"a4393f8bb73ea78d3d06148a"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4393f8bb73ea78d3d06148a"}}