GMD Ground Systems Principal Systems Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in California is seeking a Ground-based Midcourse Defense Ground Systems Principal Systems Engineer to join our SE team.

You will define performance requirements for the GMD Ground System and support the development, management, and planning of current and future capabilities for GSS missile field silos and interfaces. Coordinate with multiple stakeholders to identify and develop new or modified requirements, translate standards into system requirements, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or STEM required.
• 12+ years of direct experience in complex system of systems or missile defense system engineering.
• Active Secret clearance (or above) required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and DOORS required.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment required.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage performance requirements for the GMD Ground System and support definition of performance requirements for the GMD Ground System.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to identify and develop new or modified requirements and translate standards into GSS requirements.
• Develop inputs to cost estimates and analyze schedule impacts of new or modified requirements.
• Package technical, cost, and schedule impacts to advocate acceptance or rejection of changes.
• Review contractor decompositions and coordinate verification activities with government assessment.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Collaboration

Fast-paced environment

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or STEM

Tools

Microsoft Office

DOORS

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description

AV is looking for a highly talented Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Ground Systems Principal Systems Engineer to join our team! In this role, you will work as a technical staff member of the MDA/GMN Systems Engineering (SE) team supporting definition of performance requirements for the GMD Ground System. Participate in the development, management, and planning for current and future capabilities as it relates to requirements for Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Ground Support Systems (GSS) missile field silos and interfaces. Review proposed requirement changes in higher-level specifications for impacts to GSS baseline. Review peer/counterpart deliverables, drawings, models, and specifications for consistency with GSS baseline. Coordinate with GMD Warfighter, Ground Based Interceptor, Next Generation Interceptor, and GSS Subject Matter Experts to identify and develop new or modified requirements, and assist in incorporating changes into the GMD System Engineering & Integration flow down of requirements. Develop inputs to a cost estimate and analyze schedule impacts of new or modified requirements. Package technical, cost, and schedule impacts to advocate acceptance or rejection of the new or modified requirements. Coordinate with Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Stakeholders to identify and resolve any issues related to changes in Missile Defense System (MDS) system requirements. Translate MDS Core Standards, Mission Assurance Plan, Parts, Materials, Processes Procedures, Cybersecurity, and other agency objectives and processes into GSS requirements. Review GSS contractor's decomposition of requirements into the Prime Item Development Specifications and verification products, which includes coordination of GSS Contractor verification products in combination with government assessment activities.

Required

• Master's Degree in Engineering or a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline is required.
• 12+ years of direct experience in complex system of systems or missile defense system engineering is required.
• Active Secret clearance (or above) is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and DOORS is required.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills are required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is required.

Desired

• MDA experience desired.

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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their 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

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown

Location

Based in California

Company Information

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.

About AV

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.