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Systems Engineering Manager

General Atomics
General Atomics Salary
Herndon, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 10/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/29/2026
Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Systems Engineering Manager within our Herndon, VA team which is part of our Electromagnetic Systems group. The Herndon team provides innovative, cutting-edge, security solutions for the United States Government. Our employees provide a multi-disciplinary, sometimes non-traditional, approach to generate innovative solutions to incredibly challenging technical problems in the national security arena. Our areas of expertise are in spacecraft payload and system development (especially in the confines of implementing very large amounts of functionality in extremely small, power-constrained environments); unique system development; ground control and operational software development; embedded software development; and unique cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Functioning in an advisory or leadership role participates in the planning and oversight of the successful resolution and implementation of engineering problem(s) and provides direction and guidance to professional and support staff.
  • Formulates technical plans, typically multi-year, for solution(s) development, documentation, and deployment of the engineering solution(s), as well as responsible for meeting various compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
  • Evaluates the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment; and responsible for planning/overseeing documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates.
  • Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the solution development cycle; represents the company as a technical contact on assigned system(s) or project (s)/program(s); selects, motivates, and develops professional and support staff; interacts with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations; anticipates future engineering needs; and, develops new or expands existing business opportunities.
  • Acts as expert consultant and advisor in identified area(s) of engineering.
  • Directs and allocates technical resources and professional staff to achieve objectives.
  • Ensure technical leadership and excellence is maintained by mentoring younger engineers, and directing and participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required technical talent.
  • Publishes and presents technical papers and abstracts and participate in internal and external technical program reviews.
  • Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
  • Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
  • Performs 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

  • Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as thirteen or more years of progressively complex engineering experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
  • Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as project and/or program leadership including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established project deadlines or milestones.
  • Must possess the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles; resolve unusually complex technical problems; serve as spokesperson on projects and/or programs; and be a technical expert in one or more areas of engineering.
  • Real-world experience with system architecture, requirements tracking, developing and tracking system budgets, and performing system-level analyses in support of trade studies.
  • Solid experience with orbital dynamics, attitude control systems, orbital visualization, and other spacecraft modelling tools.
  • Understanding of principles for spacecraft design, build, test, and operation.
  • Experience with CONOPS design and mission modeling.
  • 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, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
  • Must be able to work on a self-initiated basis and in a team environment.
  • US Citizenship is required as is the ability to maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance is required.


Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 158,000 - 276,500

Salary.com Estimation for Systems Engineering Manager in Herndon, VA
$161,746 to $188,263
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