Lead Electrical Engineer

avav; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 107,370 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) company match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer for the Kinetic Effectors Group in Huntsville. The role focuses on embedded electronics, power systems, avionics, and subsystem integration for NGCM, working with government customers and suppliers in a highly mission-critical setting.

You will design and validate electrical hardware, develop schematics and PCB layouts, and participate in EMI/EMC testing and safety analyses. This position requires a U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related or equivalent.
• 8–12 years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizen with active Secret clearance.
• Experience with circuit design and ECAD tools.
• Ability to develop electrical schematics and PCB layouts.
• Experience with RMF, cyber security policies, and relevant standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and test electrical hardware for missile components including power distribution, control electronics, telemetry, and interface circuits.
• Develop and manage electrical schematics, PCB layouts, wiring diagrams, and cable assemblies.
• Support component selection and procurement, ensuring conformance with military and environmental standards.
• Conduct design verification, validation, and hardware troubleshooting during lab, ground, and flight tests.
• Collaborate with systems engineers to define and implement electrical interfaces, requirements, and ICDs.
• Assist in EMI/EMC compliance testing and environmental qualification (e.g., vibration, thermal, shock).
• Support integration and test activities in lab and field environments, including missile checkout procedures.
• Document engineering work through detailed drawings, reports, test plans, and configuration control systems.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Circuit design

Power systems

EMI/EMC testing

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ECAD tools

PCB Layout

Schematic capture

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

AV is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Lead Electrical Engineer to join our Kinetic Effectors Group. This role will support the design, development, and integration of electrical systems for the Next Generation Counter Uncrewed Aerial System Missile (NGCM) in support of national defense objectives. This is a hands‑on, mid‑career engineering role focused on embedded electronics, power systems, avionics, and missile subsystem integration and associated testing. You will work closely with cross‑functional engineering teams, government customers, and suppliers to deliver cutting‑edge solutions in a mission‑critical environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and test electrical hardware for missile components including power distribution, control electronics, telemetry, and interface circuits.
• Develop and manage electrical schematics, PCB layouts, wiring diagrams, and cable assemblies.
• Support component selection and procurement, ensuring conformance with military and environmental standards.
• Conduct design verification, validation, and hardware troubleshooting during lab, ground, and flight tests.
• Collaborate with systems engineers to define and implement electrical interfaces, requirements, and ICDs.
• Assist in EMI/EMC compliance testing and environmental qualification (e.g., vibration, thermal, shock).
• Support integration and test activities in lab and field environments, including missile checkout procedures.
• Document engineering work through detailed drawings, reports, test plans, and configuration control systems.
• Assist with program schedule creation and hardware development planning.
• Develop engineering labor and material estimates.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 8–12 years of relevant experience.
• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen with an active Secret security clearance.
• Understanding and application of industry electrical engineering technical standards; demonstrated electrical component design experience.
• Experience with circuit design and application.
• Experience using analytical software tools such as MATLAB or Python to analyze data and identify key characteristics and trends.
• Demonstrated experience in electrical power distribution and design systems.
• Ability to interpret and develop electrical schematics.
• Experience with requirements‑driven hardware design and circuitry design.
• Experience with classified test systems or systems subject to cyber security policies and risk management framework (RMF) engineering technical standards.
• Experience with analog and digital circuit design.
• Experience with printed circuit board design and layout using ECAD tools.
• Ability to present engineering materials for requirements, design, and various milestones.
• Experience evaluating commercial off‑the‑shelf (COTS) parts for compliance.
• Experience researching, developing, designing and testing circuits, components and equipment systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft business tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience supporting a DoD missile program from concept through flight test.
• Working knowledge of Explosives Safety and Ordnance System Safety.
• Experience developing and releasing formal engineering documentation including technical drawings, specifications, and test procedures.
• Experience with telemetry systems.
• Experience with mission‑critical and safety‑critical systems, components, connectors, cables, etc.
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD‑1901A, MIL‑STD‑882, EWR‑127, RCC 319, RCC 324, DoDEA 8510.01, MIL‑STD‑461, MIL‑STD‑464, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab, ECSS‑ST‑50‑11C.
• Prior work with air‑to‑air, air‑to‑ground, or surface‑to‑air missile systems.

Physical Demands

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

Salary Range: $107,370 – $145,000. The AV pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and does not guarantee compensation. Determination of official compensation relies on several factors including level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity, as well as alignment with market data.

Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees' total well‑being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

Clearance Level

Secret

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”). 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. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

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.