Project Manager II
General Atomics
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 dynamic and self-driven Additive Manufacturing (AM) Project Manager in our AM department located in Poway, CA. This position will occupy a strategic role in the growth of AM at GA-ASI, by supporting current and next generation UAS platform development leveraging a variety of AM technologies and materials. This position will act as principal AM-related project management interface between the AM department and a wide range of internal programs and external customer-funded programs. Providing both project management and AM expertise skills, this role will be driving simultaneously several projects related to new AM applications, IRAD, CRAD, process improvement, communication, training program, as well as complex production-related projects while providing periodical updates to the working teams and to the leadership. This role is part of the AM department and will support the AM application engineering team in the development and management of technical project scope of work (SOW) plan and drive the project all the way through its completion. This role will have a major component of outward-facing interaction with external customers & partners, as well as with various internal engineering, quality, and program stakeholder teams across GA-ASI.
Although it is part of the Operations division, this position will be a key interface role between various other internal stakeholders such as Quality Engineering, Materials & Processes Engineering, Advanced Programs Management, Contracts and Procurement teams, Special Programs, Design Engineering, Service and Supply Chain management. It will also interface and work closely with multiple programs within the greater GA&A company (other divisions of GA). This position will be key to help integrate AM applications into GA-ASI’s products and processes, as part of the Center of Excellence mission statement. This position will provide the candidate with an opportunity to be at the forefront and a key contributor to the growth of plastics, metals, tooling and composites AM at GA-ASI, and participate to customer-funded AM programs.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Development and execution of AM technical project scope of work, plan, schedule and budget in support of the AM application development engineering team efforts, as well as for internal IRAD, externally-funded CRAD, process improvements, internal/external communication, training and production-related projects.
- For assigned projects, act as primary Point of Contact (POC) between AM team and the several stakeholder teams/programs, providing a threshold level of AM expertise and representation throughout the execution of the projects, and coordinate participations of other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as needed.
- Primary owner of AM-related project schedule and budget for assigned projects.
- Driving communications, team alignment meetings and task coordination between all project stakeholders for AM-related projects, such as Manufacturing groups (machining, fabrication, integration, lamination, tooling engineering, etc.), Engineering groups (design, CFD, AIG, M&P, etc.), Quality and Metrology, Program offices, as well as with upper management.
- Coordination of project execution with external suppliers/partners, as well as with DoD customer representatives when applicable.
- Develop project tracking metrics and tools to facilitate reporting at all levels (working teams & leadership) and facilitate team growth.
- Provide basic level of knowledge support on AM technologies as POC on a project team setting, while leveraging the AM team’s SMEs effectively as required. Technologies that should be supported by this role include (but not limited to): Fused Deposition Modeling – FDM, Selective Laser Sintering – SLS, Laser Powder Bed Fusion – LPBF, Binder Jet (sand), LSAM/BAAM, Direct Energy Deposition – Wired (DED-W), SLA, DLP, MJF and other AM technologies.
- In collaboration with AM application engineering, keep records of project engagements, technical application best practices and lessons learned, and develop associated AM application growth metrics and best reporting practices for visibility at AM MFG group, stakeholders and leadership levels, up to executive level.
- As needed, participate and drive communication initiative to promote AM knowledge transfer and awareness across the GA&A company.
- In collaboration with AM application engineering, develop, maintain and communicate AM application library using intranet & AI tools/platforms.
- Closely work with all internal AM technology work cells and AM Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, M&P, Stress engineering, and other internal stakeholders to ensure best project flow.
- Support AM manufacturing engineers with their respective AM technology process improvement projects (as applicable) by developing strategies, plan, and help drive those to completion.
- Work closely with procurement, production planning and logistics stakeholder in the execution of AM application projects.
- Participate, support and drive multiple R&D projects connected to application development efforts.
- Tracking project budgets and spending.