Lead Principal Engineer - MK48

Basic Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering, Technology or Mathematics field. Also requires 10+ years of job-related experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of job-related experience.  

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:: Department of Defense Secret security clearance is preferred, but must be obtainable within a reasonable amount of time after hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Imagine working in a world-class engineering environment alongside exceptional talent and with technologies so advanced that many are classified. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, you’ll collaborate with engineers developing products and services that help service members, intelligence analysts, and first responders protect our nation.

We apply advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, cloud-native computing, and quantum science, to solve complex customer missions across cyber, radio frequency, undersea, space, and other critical domains.

The Torpedo Systems Group (TSG) in the General Dynamics Mission Systems company, specializes in software and hardware system integration, advanced research and development, and manufacturing. We provide mission-critical systems, services, and products to the Department of Defense, government agencies, and commercial customers. Our areas of expertise include technology insertion, acoustic sensors, signal processing, combat systems, torpedoes, cybersecurity, knowledge management, and electronic warfare.

The Role:

As the Lead Principal Engineer supporting the TSG’s MK48 program, you will serve as a senior technical authority for complex electronic systems. You will define, develop, and evaluate system and hardware architectures; ensure compliance with technical requirements; resolve challenging engineering problems; and guide multidisciplinary teams through design, integration, verification, qualification, production, and sustainment. This role combines system-level architectural ownership with hands-on technical engagement in design reviews, laboratory investigations, integration activities, and technical problem resolution.

What you’ll do:

• Define, develop, and evaluate system and hardware architectures incorporating digital, analog, power-electronics, and mechanical elements.
• Translate system requirements into clear, robust hardware requirements, interfaces, and design solutions.
• Provide technical leadership for complex circuit design, modeling, simulation, integration, verification, and qualification activities; contribute directly to technical investigations as needed.
• Ensure designs satisfy performance, reliability, cybersecurity, producibility, cost, schedule, and lifecycle objectives.
• Provide technical direction to digital, analog, power-electronics, mechanical, software, and test engineers.
• Serve as a technical mentor and independent reviewer, promoting sound engineering practices and disciplined technical decision-making.
• Lead design reviews, architecture assessments, failure reviews, trade studies, and technical investigations.
• Identify technical risks; assess their performance, cost, schedule, and program impacts; and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Perform root-cause analysis of development, production, and fielded-system issues; develop and implement corrective actions and design improvements based on test results, failure data, and engineering analysis.
• Evaluate embedded processors, systems-on-chip, FPGAs, memory devices, high-speed digital interfaces, and other emerging technologies for current and future applications.
• Support product roadmaps, technology-insertion strategies, technical proposals, and future capability development.
• Identify practical opportunities to apply artificial intelligence to engineering analysis, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and decisions to engineering leadership, program teams, customers, and suppliers.

What you bring to the table:

• Extensive experience designing, integrating, and troubleshooting complex electronic systems involving analog, digital, power-electronics, and mechanical interfaces, with deep technical expertise in one or more of these areas.
• Demonstrated ability to make, communicate, and defend system- and hardware-architecture decisions.
• Experience with high-performance embedded processors, FPGA or SoC based systems, memory technologies, and high-speed digital interfaces; experience with serial interfaces operating at 5 Gbps or greater is preferred.
• Experience with DC/DC and DC/AC power conversion, power distribution, and power-system design.
• Proficiency developing and reviewing schematics, PCB layouts, bills of material, interface documentation, and design-analysis artifacts.
• Knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, grounding, shielding, electromagnetic compatibility, component derating, and electronic reliability.
• Experience with mixed-signal circuit design; high-frequency magnetics experience is preferred.
• Hands-on proficiency using oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, logic analyzers, probes, and related laboratory equipment.
• Experience integrating and testing electronic assemblies within complex mechanical systems or constrained mechanical environments.
• Familiarity with Siemens EDA/Mentor Graphics, OrCAD, PSpice, LTspice, Mathcad, or equivalent schematic-capture, simulation, and analysis tools.
• Experience supporting products through development, qualification, production, sustainment, failure investigation, and corrective action.
• Strong technical judgment, analytical ability, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work across multiple programs and disciplines while maintaining technical quality and execution commitments.
• Experience developing electronic systems for undersea, naval, defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability applications.
• Familiarity with DoD systems-engineering, cybersecurity, qualification, and configuration-management practices.
• Experience with technical baselines, requirements traceability, verification planning, production readiness, obsolescence management, technology insertion, and design certification.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management and Control Account Management principles is a plus.

What we offer:

• An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
• See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

 NOTE: This position on-site in Canonsburg, PA with option for 'flex' moving forward. Relocation assistance is available.

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Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $180,000.00 - USD $200,000.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans