Lead Systems Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 112,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Lead Systems Engineer to join the Space RF Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) team. You will lead SE activities, coordinate with RF engineers, and drive system requirements, documentation, and reviews for satellite programs.

Responsibilities include interface with stakeholders, lifecycle support for baselines, and leading other systems engineers in SE task execution. ITAR compliance and security clearance readiness are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or related technical discipline is required.
• 8+ years of traditional systems engineering experience.
• Knowledge of SE lifecycle processes, requirements management, and verification methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate SE tasks for multiple projects.
• Develop, allocate, and document system requirements with stakeholders.
• Support system test planning, verification, and validation.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation and interface specs.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Verification methodologies

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

CAMEO

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

AV is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lead Systems Engineer to join our Space RF Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) Team. Our exciting programs will revolutionize how we connect with satellite assets, enabling faster and more secure data transmission. You will be a key member of a team performing and leading traditional systems engineering tasks for multiple projects as well as supporting the continuous improvement of our formal SE capabilities. You will interface and coordinate with multiple external and internal organizations, including stakeholders and other engineering disciplines. You may be asked to lead special projects within the SEIT or Engineering organization.

Position Responsibilities

• Working with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and RF team to understand, develop, and document customer needs and system requirements.
• Working in collaboration with RF engineers to derive and allocate subsystem requirements.
• Supporting system test planning, verification, and validation efforts.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, specifications, and interface documents, including the use of standard tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio.
• Participating in formal company and customer technical reviews.
• Supporting other engineering disciplines as needed in problem solving, risk management, and impact analysis.
• Providing full life cycle support for changes to product baselines for specific customers.
• Leading other Systems Engineers in the execution of project SE tasks.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Competencies)

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of traditional systems engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of standard systems engineering lifecycle processes, requirements management, and verification methodologies.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Degree in Systems Engineering.
• Familiarity with RF communication systems, satellite architecture, or aerospace.
• Working knowledge of the systems engineering processes as described in the INCOSE SE Handbook and/or ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023.
• Experience with CAMEO or other Model Based Systems Engineering tools and techniques.

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and production 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

Top Secret

The salary range for this role is: $111,500 - $170,000

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.

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.

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.