"Alerted.org

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Job Description:

The Sr. Staff Systems Engineer works with our Design team to develop a variety of innovative Unmanned Systems for defense and commercial applications. This position will interact with Engineering and Program Management to allocate requirements and develop architectures. These development efforts will generally be performed by small, focused design teams, which will require engineers to use a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines. The engineer will need to work on a variety of stages of development including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, validation and verification testing.

Position Responsibilities

+ Oversee requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle

+ Provide status of system development progress with requirements burn down

+ Defines and allocates requirements for products and subsystems

+ Evaluate system performance thresholds and provide engineering direction

+ Provide critical input to the preparation of successful proposals, cost estimates, technical responses, specifications, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

+ Ensures that integration efforts will satisfy all performance requirements, achieve delivery schedule, stay within budget, and meet cost targets

+ Develop system test plans, procedures and reports

+ Review and interpret customer specifications effectively

+ Identifies, analyzes and resolves system design weaknesses. Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across multiple products or complex systems, spanning hardware and software development

+ Work on significant issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles

+ Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments

+ Provide guidance and mentorship to others in both their discipline and on company values

+ Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

+ Bachelors in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

+ 12 - 15 years of experience in an engineering role

+ Experience managing requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle

+ Demonstrated prior experience in providing effective weekly status of system development progress with requirements burn down

+ Has developed systems test plans, procedures and reports and reviewed and interpreted specifications

+ Experience in writing system safety protocols and ensuring personnel safety during field testing

+ Experience with software and hardware development on mission critical, safety assured systems

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

+ Advanced degree is preferred

+ Experience in taking a product from concept to production with contract manufacturers is preferred

+ Knowledge of Jama, Cameo, and Jira preferred

+ Able to understand software concepts, with knowledge of Python, C, C++, Kotlin, and/or Java a plus

+ Exposure to Guidance Navigation and Control Systems along with Modeling Simulation and Control is preferred. Exposure to Model Based Systems Engineering is helpful but not required

+ Familiarity with uncrewed systems and support equipment, as well as government programs and terminology

+ Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity, including risk assessment, threat mitigation, and implementation of security protocols to protect digital infrastructure

+ Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties

+ Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

+ Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

+ Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

+ Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.

+ Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

+ Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

+ Travel required to domestic US sites – up to 10%.

+ Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

The salary range for this role is:

$139,371 - $197,400

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:

_T_ _his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements._

**Benefits** : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

_We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status._

ITAR

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.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)