Electrical Engineer III

AV; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401K with company match

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV is seeking an Electrical Engineer III to design, develop, modify, and evaluate electronic parts and circuitry for aerospace hardware. You will select components based on specifications, reliability, and design parameters, and lead cross-functional teams in the development of UAV electronic systems.

The role requires a B.S. in EE with 5–8 years’ experience, proficiency in Altium, RF, embedded control, FPGA, and power electronics. Travel up to 30% and a strong problem-solving mindset are needed.

Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 5–8 years of relevant experience
• Proficient with office software and productivity tools
• Experienced using Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB layout
• Knowledge of LVDS, I2C, HDMI, UART, SPI, CAN, USB
• Willing to travel up to 30%
• Must have a clean driving record

Responsibilities

• Performs simulation and detailed design for digital and analog circuits
• Drives system integration, assembly procedures, and test procedures
• Documents designs with engineering drawings and written descriptions
• Troubleshoots complex systems from a hardware and software perspective
• Designs, builds, and tests prototypes expediently and efficiently
• Works with avionics, embedded systems, and RF links; writes software to support integration of sensors and processors
• Designs and implements circuit boards including architecture, components, schematic capture, layout, bring-up, and documentation
• Performs engineering support on R&D projects with design & analysis tasks and test procedures
• Works on problems of diverse scope requiring data-driven analysis
• Follows standard practices when analyzing data to derive answers
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

RF

Embedded control

FPGA

Troubleshooting

Circuit design

System integration

Travel up to 30%

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Job Description

The Electrical Engineer III designs, develops, modifies and evaluates electronic parts, components or integrated circuitry for electronic equipment, or other hardware systems and/or electrical engineering applications. In this role, one selects components and equipment based on analysis of specifications and reliability as well as determines design approaches & parameters. Conducts general engineering and design of electronic systems on small unmanned aircraft vehicles with cross-functional teams.

Worker Type

Regular

Summary

Job Description

The Electrical Engineer III designs, develops, modifies and evaluates electronic parts, components or integrated circuitry for electronic equipment, or other hardware systems and/or electrical engineering applications. In this role, one selects components and equipment based on analysis of specifications and reliability as well as determines design approaches & parameters. Conducts general engineering and design of electronic systems on small unmanned aircraft vehicles with cross-functional teams.

Position Responsibilities

• Performs simulation and detailed design for digital and analog circuits
• Drives system integration, assembly procedures, and test procedures
• Documents designs with engineering drawings and written descriptions
• Trouble-shoots complex systems from a hardware and software perspective
• Designs, builds, and tests prototypes expediently and efficiently
• Works with avionics, embedded systems, and RF links. Writes software to support the integration of sensors and embedded processors
• Designs and implements circuit boards. This includes architecture, component selection, schematic capture, board layout, board bring-up, and documentation
• Performs electronic engineering support activities on R&D projects. Performs design & analysis tasks and writes fabrication & test procedures
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors
• Follows standard practices and procedures when analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of relevant experience
• Proficient with office software, computer-based productivity tools and other software tools in one's area of expertise
• Experienced using Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB layout
• Experienced in one or more areas: Radio Frequency (RF), embedded control, FPGA
• Experienced with power electronics, including motors and Battery Technology (lead acid, Nickel metal hybride & Lithium ion)
• Demonstrated competency in troubleshooting complex systems
• Demonstrated familiarity of common industry protocols (LVDS, I2C, HDMI, UART, SPI, CAN, USB)
• Knowledge of general Engineering fundamentals, mathematics, physics & material properties
• Some travel may be required in support of flight test operations (up to 30%)
• Must have a clean driving record

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Flight test or R/C (Remote Control) experience a plus, hands-on experience with tools a plus
• Demonstrates familiarity with Small UAV subsystems and associated software
• Demonstrates consistency in complying with company's policies and procedures
• Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways
• Demonstrates sound judgement in selection of methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Shares ideas and experiences with others, solicits feedback and asks relevant questions
• 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.
• Team Player - 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)
• 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

No Clearance

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$100,500 - $153,250

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

This 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.

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.

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

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.