Experienced Unmanned Aviation Engineer

General Dynamics

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Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Manassas, VA
Salary
$156,965–$174,134 / yr
Posted
61 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live today

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $166k
This role $166k
$131k $201k
below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 55% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$194,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $166k versus about $166k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About General Dynamics

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation, ship construction, land combat vehicles, and information technology. It serves customers in the U.S. government, allied governments, and a diverse array of commercial markets.

General Dynamics currently has 1377 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $124,093–$150,385 across 1184 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Experienced Unmanned Aviation Engineer

The Experienced Unmanned Aviation Engineer joins the engineering team to provide subject matter expertise in ISR and OWA mission requirements. This role involves assessing the future evolution of UAS platforms, identifying technology gaps, and serving as a payload systems architect to define capability requirements and interface standards. The engineer will translate operational pain points into system-level problem statements, collaborate on technical roadmaps, and support proposal efforts. Key skills include expertise in aviation, UAS, or airborne mission systems, with specific knowledge of environmental constraints and EMI/RF considerations. The position requires translating mission requirements into systems engineering artifacts like ConOps, ORDs, and ICDs. The work focuses on solving complex integration challenges for multi-domain payload configurations within the unmanned aviation and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance domains.

What you'll do

  • Provide subject matter expertise on ISR and OWA mission requirements, environmental constraints, and EMI considerations.
  • Assess the future evolution of UAS platforms and identify technology gaps and emerging requirements.
  • Translate operator pain points and unmet needs into system-level problem statements for engineering teams.
  • Serve as a payload systems architect to define capability requirements, interface standards, and integration approaches.
  • Ensure customer requirements are accurately reflected in program baselines and technical roadmaps.
  • Support capture activities, Rough Order of Magnitude development, and proposal efforts as a technical resource.

What we're looking for

  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, plus 8 years of relevant experience.
  • Master's degree in a related field, plus 6 years of relevant experience.
  • 8+ years of experience in aviation, UAS, or airborne mission systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with ISR and/or OWA mission environments, including knowledge of environmental and EMI/RF considerations.
  • Hands-on understanding of payload systems architecture, capabilities definition, interface standards, and system integration.
  • Established network within the UAS operator, program office, or requirements community with demonstrated ability to engage key stakeholders.

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