Senior Engineer - Test Engineer

AV; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV is seeking a Senior Test Systems Engineer in San Diego to design, build, and maintain RF test infrastructure for Counter-UAS hardware from prototype to production.

The role owns ATE, ATPs, and data pipelines to ensure IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec quality while collaborating with RF design, firmware, and contract manufacturers for yield, test-coverage, and throughput improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in test systems engineering for electronic hardware, preferably RF/microwave.
• Hands-on RF test instrumentation experience.
• Proficiency in test automation programming (Python, LabVIEW).
• Knowledge of IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec manufacturing/test standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop automated test systems for RF front-end, PCB assembly, and subsystems validation.
• Write and maintain ATPs and manufacturing test documentation to MIL-spec and IPC Class 3.
• Build test automation software and data-acquisition frameworks for benchtop and production lines.
• Develop test fixtures and calibration methods for RF/mixed-signal hardware.
• Analyze production test data to identify outliers and drive corrective actions across design and manufacturing.
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers to transfer tests and support ramp.

Skills

RF test instrumentation

Python

LabVIEW

IPC Class 3 MIL-spec

Data analysis

U.S. Person status

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Power meters

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

AeroVironment Senior Test Systems Engineer

Location: San Diego, CA | Team: Hardware Engineering — Counter-UAS (Titan Program)

Type: Full-time, On-site

About The Role

AeroVironment is seeking a Senior Test Systems Engineer to design, build, and maintain the test infrastructure that validates our Counter-UAS RF hardware from prototype through volume production. You will own the automated test equipment (ATE), acceptance test procedures (ATPs), and data pipelines that ensure every unit meets IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec quality standards. This role sits at the intersection of RF/hardware engineering, test automation, and production—working closely with design engineers, firmware, and our contract manufacturer to drive yield, reduce escapes, and scale throughput.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop automated test systems for RF front-end, PCB assembly, and integrated subsystem validation (S-parameter sweeps, power/gain verification, functional test).
• Write, execute, and maintain acceptance test procedures (ATPs) and manufacturing test documentation to MIL-spec and IPC Class 3 requirements.
• Build test automation software and data-acquisition frameworks (Python, LabVIEW) for benchtop and production-line stations.
• Develop test fixtures, interface boards, and calibration methods for RF and mixed-signal hardware.
• Analyze production test data to identify outliers, characterize yield, and drive corrective action across design and manufacturing.
• Partner with contract manufacturers to transfer test processes, qualify stations, and support production ramp.
• Support environmental and reliability testing (MIL-STD-810H temperature, vibration, etc.).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with RF design, firmware, and production engineering to resolve test failures and design-for-test issues.
• Coordinate with quality team to identify possible quality escapes and non-conformities identified through testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in test systems engineering for electronic hardware, preferably RF/microwave.
• Hands-on experience with RF test instrumentation (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters).
• Proficiency in test automation programming (Python, LabVIEW, and/or similar languages/tools).
• Working knowledge of IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec manufacturing/test standards.
• Strong data analysis skills for yield and test-coverage evaluation.
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR-controlled program).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with Counter-UAS, radar, EW, or defense RF systems.
• Familiarity with test process transfer to contract manufacturers.
• Experience with environmental/reliability testing (MIL-STD-810).
• Design-for-test (DFT) and fixture design experience.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$100,500 - $153,250

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.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

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