Chief Systems Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA) and its affiliated companies are leading resources for high‑technology systems development, ranging from nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. We are looking for a Chief Systems Engineer for our Herndon, VA office in the Electromagnetic Systems group. The Herndon team develops innovative, cutting‑edge security solutions for the U.S. government, with expertise in spacecraft payload and system development, unique system, ground‑control and operational software, embedded software and cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sets the overall technical vision and strategy for complex engineering solutions and major project and program portfolios, formulating long‑term plans for solution development, documentation, deployment, and compliance with reporting and safety standards.
• Leads and oversees the integration of engineering solutions within the broader engineering and operational environment; ensures that documentation, testing, maintenance and engineering updates are complete, consistent and technically sound.
• Serves as the primary technical authority and prime technical contact on key contracts and programs; communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, senior management and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination across organizations.
• Establishes and approves technical objectives and architectures for solutions to highly complex and advanced technical engineering problems, balancing performance, cost, schedule and risk.
• Represents the organization as the chief technical contact within engineering teams for multiple or strategically important projects and programs.
• Functions in a chief engineer or senior advisory role, providing technical direction, guidance and mentorship to senior and less experienced professional staff and multidiscipline teams.
• Formulates plans and directs the development and implementation of engineering solutions, including deployment, resource requirements, testing, documentation, integration and compliance with safety, security and regulatory standards.
• Plans and oversees the maintenance and evolution of engineering solutions, including documentation, reporting, publishing and technical presentations to ensure long‑term viability of solutions in an evolving threat and technology environment.
• Identifies, evaluates and plans for future applications of solutions based on new developments in engineering technology, mission needs and customer priorities.
• Leads or plays a key technical role in the development of new or expansion of existing business opportunities, including capture activities, technical solution development and proposal support.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

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 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: eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a master's degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of systems engineering principles, concepts, theory and practice, with a proven ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct and coordinate complex workloads and multidisciplinary teams to meet established deadlines or milestones, including significant experience in project or program technical leadership or chief engineer roles.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in an evolving environment; strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives and professionals; capability of representing the organization as the primary technical authority; and the ability to provide leadership, direction and mentorship to senior and less experienced professionals.
• Real‑world experience with system architecture, requirements tracking, developing and tracking system budgets and performing system‑level analyses in support of trade studies and major design decisions.
• Extensive experience with orbital dynamics, attitude control systems, orbital visualization and other spacecraft modeling tools.
• Deep understanding of principles for spacecraft design, build, test and operation, including integration and test, launch, on‑orbit checkout and anomaly resolution.
• Experience with CONOPS design and mission modeling, including end‑to‑end mission scenarios and operational concepts.
• Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills are required, enabling an effective leadership interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers and government representatives.
• Customer focused, with a track record of formulating and executing plans based on the development of innovative designs to resolve advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work on a self‑initiated basis and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• US Citizenship is required, as is the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Job Type: Full‑Time Salary

Salary Range: $140,940 - $252,293