Technical Director - Advanced Flight Controls Concepts and Methods

Company: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Location: Poway
Posted on: March 17, 2023

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.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Director - Advanced Flight Controls Concepts and Methods within our Flight Technologies Department in San Diego, CA. This position will report to the Sr Director and work as a bridge between our production programs and advanced and low-observable aircraft. Candidates must have high-level capabilities in vehicle sizing, configuration, and flight controls, for non-linear aerodynamically unstable aircraft designs such as flying wings as well a detailed understanding of the applicability of specific control schema to various configurations and levels of performance. The Technical Director will work at strategic and conceptual levels, aid in investigations of anomalous behavior, as well as have experience with detailed design.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical guidance and development to junior staff related to flight controls to staff across the department.
• Lead, direct, guide, and execute aero-controls sizing studies in the conceptual and preliminary design phases for low-observable and advanced, tailless designs, including consideration of aero-servo-elastic effects, and aero-propulsion integration.
• Accomplish detailed design in these areas including modern control law design and control algorithm design.
• Conceptualize and articulate innovative resolutions to highly challenging flight control topics for both production aircraft and new, conceptual aircraft, subject to scope and budget constraints.
• Provide leadership, direction and guidance for independent research and development efforts in advanced design with a focus on advanced aerodynamics and flight control.
• Provide proposal support including authorship of major sections of the proposal in the afore-mentioned areas.
  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 degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twenty or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, eighteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or fifteen or more years with a PhD.
  • Degree in aerospace/aeronautical and controls is highly desirable; electrical, mechanical, or related engineering field will be considered with appropriate background.
  • Significant experience in low-observable and advanced, tailless designs, including consideration of aero-servo-elastic effects, and aero-propulsion integration is required.
  • Experience in transonic, non-linear, and un-stable flight vehicle aero-controls design, development, and analysis is required.
  • Occasional travel to company flight test facilities is required.
  • Must have strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team.
    Salary: $140,940 - $252,293

Keywords: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway , Technical Director - Advanced Flight Controls Concepts and Methods, Executive , Poway, California