General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Engineering Manager II

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering, preferably in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Systems fields.
  • Nine or more years of progressively complex engineering experience focused on test engineering or system-level verification.
  • Proven experience in leading test teams and managing test campaigns in diverse environments.
  • Strong understanding of test principles including planning, verification, instrumentation, and data analysis.
  • Demonstrated project management abilities with skills in planning, scheduling, and budgeting.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills to present test plans and reports to various stakeholders.
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage all phases of test engineering projects, including planning and execution.
  • Define and implement technical, schedule, quality, and financial objectives for the test engineering unit.
  • Conduct regular progress reviews to assess cost, schedule, and technical performance.
  • Provide technical oversight during setup, execution, and anomaly resolution.
  • Identify technical issues and develop solutions involving method changes and resource reallocation.
  • Serve as the primary contact for test activities with internal teams and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards across all test operations.

Benefits

  • Support for professional development and mentoring opportunities.
  • Emphasis on a strong safety culture and compliance in the workplace.
  • Exposure to diverse test environments including ground, lab, and field testing.
  • Collaborative work culture with opportunities to interface with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Encouragement for continuous improvement in processes and tools.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

We are seeking a Test Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for the field testing of complex units under test (UUTs). This role oversees all phases of test engineering projects-from planning and procedure development through execution, data analysis, and test reporting.

Reporting to a Senior Engineering Manager, the Test Engineering Manager II is accountable for technical performance, schedule adherence, and cost control for the test engineering unit. The role will ensure safe, repeatable, and compliant test operations while driving continuous improvement in test methods, processes, and tools.

DUTIES & RESPONSABILITIES
  • Leadership & Project Management
    • Lead and manage all phases of test engineering projects for UUTs, including planning, resource allocation, execution, and closeout.
    • Define and implement current, annual, and long-term technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives for the test engineering unit.
    • Conduct regular progress reviews to monitor cost, schedule, technical performance, and test readiness.
  • Technical Oversight & Problem Resolution
    • Provide technical direction and oversight to test engineers and technicians during setup, execution, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution.
    • Identify test-related technical issues and lead the development of solutions, including test method changes, re-allocation of resources, or updates to requirements and procedures.
    • Review and approve test reports, data analyses, and technical presentations.
  • Customer, Supplier, and Cross-Functional Interface
    • Serve as a primary contact for test engineering activities with internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
    • Present test plans, readiness reviews, and results to internal management, customers, and, as required, government representatives.
    • Support proposal efforts and statements of work related to test engineering scope, cost, and schedule.
  • Talent Development & Operational Excellence
    • Ensure technical excellence by participating in the selection, development, mentoring, and retention of test engineers and technicians.
    • Promote and enforce best practices in test safety, configuration management, and quality.
    • Drive continuous improvement in test processes, tools, and facilities to increase efficiency, repeatability, and data quality.
  • Compliance, Safety, and Security
    • Ensure all test activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and company policies.
    • Maintain a strong safety culture in ground, lab, and field test environments, ensuring work is performed in accordance with established procedures.
    • Manage the protection of proprietary test methods, data, and technologies, and maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

Education:
  • Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as nine or more years of progressively complex engineering experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
    • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems) or a related technical field is desired.
Experience:
  • Nine (9) or more years of progressively complex engineering experience, with a strong focus on test engineering, AIT, or system-level verification and validation.
  • Demonstrated experience leading test teams and/or managing test campaigns in ground, laboratory, and/or field environments.
Technical & Managerial Skills:
  • Strong understanding of engineering and test principles, including test planning, requirements verification, instrumentation, data acquisition, and data analysis.
  • Experience with assembly and integration of complex hardware systems and associated test setups.
  • Proven project management skills, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordinating workloads to meet milestones.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve both technical and management issues in a fast-paced test environment.
Interpersonal & Communication Skills:
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present test plans, readiness reviews, and test reports.
  • Effective interpersonal skills to interface with multidisciplinary teams, all levels of management, customers, and government representatives.
  • Customer-focused, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Other Requirements:
  • Ability to work extended hours and travel to test sites as required to support ground and field testing.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance is required.
Preferred:
  • Professional Engineering (P.E.) license.
  • Experience with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC), system integration labs, or field range operations.
  • Original work(s) published in professional engineering or test/verification journals.

About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The company is headquartered in Poway, California, and has additional offices and facilities around the world.
Learn more about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1955

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