Lead Systems Engineer

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

AV is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lead Systems Engineer to join our Space RF Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) Team. Our exciting programs will revolutionize how we connect with satellite assets, enabling faster and more secure data transmission. You will be a key member of a team performing and leading traditional systems engineering tasks for multiple projects as well as supporting the continuous improvement of our formal SE capabilities. You will interface and coordinate with multiple external and internal organizations, including stakeholders and other engineering disciplines. You may be asked to lead special projects within the SEIT or Engineering organization.

Position Responsibilities

• Primary responsibilities include supporting the effort to capture and manage product requirements, as well as supporting other standard systems engineering efforts as needed in support of our product lines.
• Typical tasks may include:
• Working with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and RF team to understand, develop, and document customer needs and system requirements.
• Working in collaboration with RF engineers to derive and allocate subsystem requirements.
• Supporting system test planning, verification, and validation efforts.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, specifications, and interface documents, including the use of standard tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio.
• Participating in formal company and customer technical reviews.
• Supporting other engineering disciplines as needed in problem solving, risk management, and impact analysis.
• Providing full life cycle support for changes to product baselines for specific customers.
• Leading other Systems Engineers in the execution of project SE tasks.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Competencies)

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of traditional systems engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of standard systems engineering lifecycle processes, requirements management, and verification methodologies.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Degree in Systems Engineering.
• Familiarity with RF communication systems, satellite architecture, or aerospace.
• Working knowledge of the systems engineering processes as described in the INCOSE SE Handbook and/or ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023.
• Experience with CAMEO or other Model Based Systems Engineering tools and techniques.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and production environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

Top Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$111,500 - $170,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.