Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer

InvestedintheMission; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer to support DoD missile defense programs in Huntsville, AL. The role requires deep expertise in flight termination systems, RCC-319/324 standards, and range tracking architectures, with a DoD Secret clearance.

The candidate will lead safety analyses, oversee requirements for FTS products, and participate in flight tests and design reviews.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (MS/MA) with 12+ years in missile defense or large-scale DoD programs; or BA/BS with 20+ years' experience.
• Active DoD Secret clearance.
• Technical expertise in flight termination and ordnance systems.
• Proficient with RCC-319 (Flight Termination Commonality) and RCC-324 (Range Safety Tracking) standards.
• Knowledge of range tracking architectures (GPS, IMU, and C-band).
• Strong written and verbal briefing skills; willingness to travel for mission deployments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Range Safety expert for Targets Program during flight tests and termination testing.
• Provide oversight of requirements development, allocation and verification for target system FTS products.
• Conduct technical surveillance across FTS hardware/software development, qualification, and final checkout.
• Author technical reports detailing system status and recommendations.
• Represent government stakeholder interests in technical working groups and design reviews.

Skills

Flight termination systems

RCC-319 & RCC-324 standards

Tracking systems (GPS/IMU/C-band)

Briefing skills

Travel readiness

Education

Master's degree (MS/MA) + 12+ years in DoD/missile defense

BA/BS + 20+ years in DoD/missile defense

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

AV is looking for a highly talented Range Safety & Flight Termination Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Engineering Directorate (MDA/TCE). In this role, you will provide critical engineering expertise for the flight terminations systems (FTS) used across launch and reentry vehicles.

• Serve as Range Safety expert on behalf of the Targets Program office during flight tests, Range Safety Working Groups, and flight termination testing.
• Provide oversight of requirements development, allocation and verification for target system FTS products, including autonomous flight termination systems.
• Conduct technical surveillance across FTS hardware and software development, qualification, acceptance, integration, and final checkout.
• Author technical reports detailing system status, analytical findings, and formal recommendations.
• Represent government stakeholder interests in technical working groups, customer forums, and formal design reviews

Required

• Master of Science or Master of Arts degree and 12+ years of experience supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs. OR, a BA/BS degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and 20+ years of experience supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs.
• Active DoD Secret clearance
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated background in flight termination systems and ordnance systems.
• Standards: Proficient in flight safety analysis products, specifically RCC-319 (Flight Termination Commonality Standard) and RCC-324 (Range Safety Tracking Systems Commonality Standard).
• Tracking Systems: Working knowledge of range tracking architectures, including GPS, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), and C-band tracking
• Communication & Mobility: Strong written and verbal briefing skills; willingness and ability to travel for mission deployments.

Desired

• Direct experience with Autonomous Flight Termination Systems (AFTS)
• Hands‑on flight test operations experience.
• Technical background in RF systems, antennas, batteries, and ordinance devices.
• 10 + years of experience in defense and aerospace.

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

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.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

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.