Principal LabVIEW Embedded Engineer / Technical Lead

General Atomics • San Diego, CA

91d • $105,890 - $189,545

About The Position

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 an Engineer to join our Electrical Technologies Embedded Systems team located in Rancho Bernardo. We are seeking a hands-on technical lead with deep LabVIEW expertise, strong software engineering fundamentals, and the ability to guide a team through complex hardware/software challenges. This position is ideal for a senior engineer who wants to stay close to the work — implementing scalable code, troubleshooting integrated systems, and making key technical decisions — while collaborating with program managers to deliver on program milestones. The successful candidate will report to the Instrumentations and Control manager and, alongside high-caliber colleagues, will be engaged in the engineering support and new development of high-power electromagnetic systems, high-energy laser (HEL) systems, advanced airborne sensors, space-based laser and electro-optical communications systems, and a variety of other technologies in the expanding product portfolio of GA-EMS.

Requirements

• 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; nine (9) or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, seven (7) or more years of experience with a master's degree, or four (4) or more years with a PhD.
• Active or Ability to obtain DoD Security Clearance is required.
• Extensive LabVIEW development experience, including scalable code architecture and deployment.
• Strong software development fundamentals: modular design, version control workflows (Git), automated testing, documentation, and peer reviews.
• Proven experience leading technical efforts, including task assignment, prioritization, and scheduling based on technical complexity.
• Strong understanding of hardware fundamentals: schematics, PCB layouts, sensors, signal conditioning, and system-level interactions.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve system-level issues involving firmware, hardware, cables, and instrumentation.
• Experience with communication protocols such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, or similar.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to translate technical issues for non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals.
• Customer-focused and able to formulate plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead: Make key technical decisions on architecture, tools, and implementation strategy.
• Break down work, assign tasks, and set priorities for the team.
• Determine schedules and milestones based on technical complexity and risk.
• Design and implement scalable, maintainable LabVIEW applications for data acquisition, test automation, and embedded systems, applying software engineering best practices: modular architecture, version control, automated testing, and code reviews.
• Troubleshoot and integrate complex systems with multiple I/O types (analog, digital, serial, CAN, Ethernet) and a variety of sensors.
• Analyze and resolve hardware/software issues using schematics, datasheets, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab tools.
• Collaborate with program managers and stakeholders to communicate risks, progress, and technical decisions — without taking on formal PM responsibilities.
• Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure compliance with industry and DoD standards where required.

Benefits

• Salary: $105,890 - $189,545

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree