Embedded Cybersecurity Engineer II

avav; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking an Embedded Cybersecurity Engineer II to secure embedded systems across products. You will work hands-on with R&D and operations to ensure compliance with security standards and contract requirements.

The role collaborates with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to implement robust security controls, perform incident response, vulnerability assessments, and derive actionable mitigations. U.S. citizen and security clearance eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, electrical or computer engineering, computer science, or related field, or equivalent.
• Two years in cybersecurity and embedded hardware.
• Certification such as CompTIA Security+ or GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product R&D to implement security controls for product/system security.
• Coordinate with hardware design to address security requirements in hardware selection.
• Support embedded system architects and developers to ensure security controls are implemented.
• Promote consistent embedded system security practices across projects.
• Coordinate with software development & manufacturing to meet security needs.
• Identify security needs for embedded hardware, firmware, software, and microprocessors.
• Assist in selecting hardware, 3rd‑party software, tools and vendors; identify vulnerabilities.
• Contribute to tools, processes, and policies to prevent, detect, and resolve security issues across the lifecycle.
• Conduct embedded product cybersecurity activities including incident response, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of security controls and update countermeasures.
• Provide security deliverables for regulatory bodies and contracts.
• Assist with assessment of software applications and control procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Cybersecurity

Embedded hardware

Security certifications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Embedded Cybersecurity Engineer II is a talented professional who will address the security of the embedded systems in our products. This key cybersecurity role is for a hands‑on professional who is big picture sensitive, detail‑oriented, and driven to deliver secure high‑quality products. Qualified candidates will contribute to the security of our products by working with developers and engineers throughout the R&D and Operations organizations to ensure our products comply with relevant security standards and contract requirements.

Position Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the product R&D teams to help them understand the security mindset, guiding them to implement specific security controls for product/system wide security needs.
• Coordinate with Electrical and Hardware engineering to ensure security requirements are addressed in the hardware selection and design.
• Support embedded system Architect and Developers to ensure the security controls are implemented as intended.
• Support consistent implementation of the embedded system security practices across projects.
• Coordinate with SW Developers & manufacturing engineering to ensure security needs are met.
• Identify security needs for embedded hardware, firmware, software, and microprocessors.
• Support selection of hardware components, third-party software, security tools and vendors. Identify security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system design and architecture.
• Contribute to the development of tools, processes, and policies to prevent, detect, and resolve classes of issues across the entire development lifecycle, including supply chain and manufacturing.
• Conduct embedded product and device cybersecurity activities including incident response, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation implementation.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of implemented cybersecurity controls.
• Implement new approaches and countermeasures for emerging threats to embedded systems.
• Provide security-related deliverables for regulatory bodies and contracts.
• Assess software applications and control procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree required in Cybersecurity, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar or related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Two years of experience in Cybersecurity and embedded hardware.
• CompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) or equivalent verifiable credentialed certification.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, time management and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools.
• Works well with little or no supervision and exercises independent judgement on a regular basis.
• Ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of technical information concerning specific projects or schedules.
• Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) or equivalent verifiable credentialed certification.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OCSP), or equivalent verifiable credentialed certification.
• Experience achieving ISO 27001 certification.
• Experience complying with NIST Cybersecurity standards and guidance
• Experience complying with the requirement of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)
• Experience with one or more of the following technical areas:
  • Wireless and/or network communications
  • Basic knowledge of common hardware components, packaging, and PCBA level integration
  • Basic knowledge of common cryptographic algorithms and protocols, implementation attacks (i.e., side‑channel and fault injection)
  • Hardware security implementation analysis and exploitation (cryptography, side‑channel analysis, and/or fault injection)
  • Testing and validation of cybersecurity control implementation, using manual methods and automated tools (e.g., ACAS, Tenable.sc, Nessus, Nexpose, etc.)

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 25 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
• May require travel to sites/program and special functions.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:

• Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.
• Occasional work on the production floor may be required.
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.
• Must have a DoD Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain one.

Clearance Level

Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$82,000 - $125,000

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

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.

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