Advanced Programs Senior Systems Engineering Architect

Until 9/13/2026 First posted May 29, 2026 Last posted July 15, 2026
Job 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.

The Advanced Programs group has an exciting opportunity in San Diego, CA (Poway, CA) for an Advanced Programs Utility Systems Architect to oversee the definition and development of vehicle control systems for application on emerging unmanned air vehicle concepts.  The department seeks a candidate with proficient design and application experience in vehicle control, subsystem control, vehicle system architecture, and flight test to support emerging advanced aircraft development programs.  Experience in front-end air vehicle system development efforts including requirements development, clean-sheet design, software integration and validation, and lab/ground/flight-based test planning, execution, and analysis will be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develop technical roadmap and execution plans for the design, development, integration, and test of an advanced vehicle management and control system 
  • Develop technical and strategy-level briefings for internal and external stakeholder review
  • Regular communication with Advanced Programs and ASI executive leadership 
  • Provide regular technical mentorship to lower-level technical team members 
  • Develop cohesive utility system architectures and manage teams performing detailed design
  • Manage LRU development and risk mitigation for aircraft utility systems
  • Flight autonomy architecture and design
  • Utility control architecture and design
  • Development of vehicle state diagrams
  • Selection of Vehicle Management System Hardware
  • Integration and testing of Vehicle Management System Hardware
  • Support the decomposition of mission use cases to define control system requirements that are compliant with adequate MIL Specs.
  • Develop analytical tools as required for advanced concepts.
  • Perform vehicle-control-system-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.
 
About this role

Summary

Oversee development of vehicle control systems for unmanned aircraft programs.

Job title

Advanced Programs Senior Systems Engineering Architect

Experience level

senior level

Industry

aerospace

Location requirements

Candidates in San Diego, CA, on-site role, remote not allowed.

Salary

Not specified

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

system architecturevehicle controlsoftware integrationflight testrequirements development

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

vehicle controlsystem architectureflight testsoftware integrationvehicle management
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

San Diego, CA, USA

On-site City