Sr Engineering Technician
General Dynamics Mission Systems · San Diego, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at General Dynamics Mission Systems (aerospace & defense) in San Diego, CA. Construct, troubleshoot, calibrate, adjust, test, diagnose and maintain equipment, components, devices, or systems.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $111k–$173k.
Median of the low and high ends of 165 live postings that list pay, out of 443 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 442 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $109k–$159k, from 144 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 50%
- New product launch 45%
- Root cause 37%
- Automation 34%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- Machining 26%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at General Dynamics Mission Systems
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from General Dynamics Mission SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
Associate’s degree in related discipline or equivalent is required plus a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience. CLEARANCE
Requirements
Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of 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
Help make the technologies, products and services that make a difference. That’s the opportunity that’s waiting for you at General Dynamics Mission Systems. We help our nation’s heroes keep our nation safe by creating solutions so advanced, they redefine innovation for the world. It’s an amazing challenge. And it’s waiting for you now. We apply advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR, Cloud Native and Quantum Physics to solve our customers’ missions in cyber, RF, undersea, interstellar and everything in between. Are you looking to take charge of your career and seek opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve your potential? If so, look no further! As the Engineering Technician, you’ll support engineering activities such as design, test, check-out, modification, fabrication and assembly of prototype electro mechanical systems, experimental design circuitry, laser/light transmission devices or specialized test equipment. This may entail performing research and engineering laboratory functions that may include, but are not be limited to:
- ◆Layout, build, test, troubleshoot, repair and modify electronic or electro-mechanical devices, assemblies, subsystems, and systems
- ◆Construct, troubleshoot, calibrate, adjust, test, diagnose and maintain equipment, components, devices, or systems
- ◆Calibration and alignment checks
- ◆Prepare prescribed compounds and solutions
- ◆Construct, modify, debug, test and adjust a variety of tools and equipment given appropriate drawings, parts and instructions
- ◆Implement basic practical solutions for process improvement
- ◆Conduct and document experiments under guidance of senior technician
- ◆Construct basis tooling and fixtures to accomplish unique tasks
- ◆Organize data to identify cause/effect relationships and recommends resolution/process improvement
What you’ll experience
- ✓Technologies that aren’t just top-notch, they’re often top-secret
- ✓A team of bold thinkers committed to exploring what’s next
- ✓Opportunities to gain new knowledge - as it’s discovered
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Basic
What you bring to the table
- •An Associate’s degree in related discipline or equivalent plus a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience
- •Fundamental knowledge and proficiency in the use of related tools and equipment
- •Ability to fabricate simple hardware as required
- •May require 1st Class FCC license and Solder Repair certification
- •Clear computer and test equipment knowledge
What sets you apart
- •Team player who thrives in collaborative environments and revels in team success
- •Commitment to ongoing professional development
- •Superior communication and collaboration skills
Salary Note
USD $31.37 - USD $34.41 /Hr.
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!