Principal Engineer - Mechanical Engineering

AeroVironment, Inc.; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Principal Engineer - Mechanical Engineering to lead software development for mission systems flight software on uncrewed aircraft.

You will mentor teams, drive planning and testing across applications, BSP, and firmware, and ensure software quality in a mature Agile environment. The role emphasizes leading design reviews, contributing to process improvements, and delivering on schedule with cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 12+ years of Linux application software development experience.
• Experience with Agile Software Development Process Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead software design reviews and create design documentation according to process requirements.
• Develop onboard Linux application software to support integration of sensors, processors, or other robotics systems into aircraft.
• Write and test software, implement coding to standards, and validate according to process.

Skills

Python

C

C++

STL

OOP

Agile

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

VS Code

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary As a Principal Engineer - Mechanical Engineering, you will be a senior technical leader and mentor in a stable, collaborative Agile development environment with a strong emphasis on software quality and engineering excellence. In this role, one leads the planning, design, development and testing of mission systems flight software for uncrewed aircraft.

Position Responsibilities

• Software development in support of AV's vision-based navigation, autonomy, cooperative behaviors, and mission systems technology roadmap.
• Opportunity to contribute across the full software stack from applications to BSP/firmware based on technical needs and interest.
• Work within a mature, quality-focused software development organization with established processes, comprehensive testing frameworks, and emphasis on technical excellence
• Writes and tests onboard Linux application software to support integration of sensors, processors, or other robotics systems into aircraft
• Understands the requirements and process.
• Participates in and leads software design reviews
• Creates software design documentation according to software process requirements
• Implements coding according to coding standard, writes tests, and validates software according to the process.
• Contributes to process improvement efforts
• Delivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget
• Supports and derives algorithm design from detailed software requirements
• Works closely with multiple teams of software developers reusing developed software to support different programs
• Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.
• Serves as a technical authority and contributor across multiple areas of the software stack (applications, BSP, firmware) based on project needs.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 12+ years of relevant experience in Linux application software development.
• Familiar with OOP software design patterns, SDLC, and STLC
• Expertise in one of the following: Python, C, C++11/17, and STL
• Demonstrated knowledge of VS Code or similar IDE as well as defect tracking tools
• Experienced writing unit tests and debugging code; Experienced with formal and structured lifecycle development process
• Experienced with Agile Software Development Process Management
• Demonstrated mathematical and analytical skills are required
• Demonstrated familiarity with source control tools such as Git and cloud-based CI/CD tools
• Willingness to travel locally (Occasionally)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Experience with computer vision and machine learning on embedded systems
• Experience with UAS, drones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other embedded systems
• Familiar with real-time controls, especially advanced estimations techniques
• Experience developing within the Robot Operating System (ROS2) framework on Linux/ARM
• Familiar with the FACE technical standard and UoC development
• Demonstrates leadership skills and sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Demonstrates effective listening, questioning, clarifying and summarizing skills to effectively communicate in one-on-one and small group settings
• Demonstrates understanding of system design that one is working on and understands the role that assigned tasks play in the system
• 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
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands: Ability to work in an office 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)

Special Requirements: U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required. Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

The salary range for this role is: $147,000 - $224,250 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.

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

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