Senior Engineer – Test Engineering

AeroVironment; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 91,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental + Vision

401K match

9/80 schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in Huntsville, AL to lead a team of systems engineers across the UAS technology space. The role requires driving the strategic technology roadmap, coordinating with engineering management, and building capabilities to meet business demands.

Requirements include a BS in Engineering and 5–8 years in systems engineering, with aerospace experience preferred and a strong focus on safety, requirements traceability, and system integration from concept

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering (i.e., Systems, Electrical, Computer, etc.) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 5 - 8 years of experience in a systems engineering role
• Aerospace systems engineering experience preferred
• Experience writing Systems Safety protocols and ensuring personnel safety during field testing
• Experience in taking a product from concept to production with contract manufacturers a plus
• Managed requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
• Experienced in providing weekly status of system development progress with requirements burn down
• Allocated requirements to subsystem & engineering coordination
• Evaluated system performance thresholds and providing direction
• Development of instrumented flight test vectors and data acquisition
• Provided input for model development and simulation analysis
• Has developed systems test plans, procedures and reports, reviewed and interpreted customer specification

Responsibilities

• Manages a group of systems engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career development
• Manages resources to meet project demands
• Plans workload for System engineer design activities
• Provides technical expertise and guidance to team to meet applicable deadlines
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction with both internal and external customers
• Manages requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
• Mentors other engineers within the team
• Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Frequently interacts with subordinate supervisors, customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Budget planning

Requirements management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS preferred in related field

Job description

Summary
The Senior, Systems Engineering, is an experienced individual within the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) systems technology or related industry with extensive knowledge performing one's function in a fast-paced organization. As a member of the Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System's Engineering management team, one participates in executing the overall strategic technology roadmap that will drive the business growth in a very competitive market space. Responsible for building a functional organization that has the capabilities and capacities to meet the business needs.

Position Responsibilities

• Manages a group of systems engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation and career development
• Manages resources to meet project demands
• Plans workload for System engineer design activities
• Provides technical expertise and guidance to team to meet applicable deadlines
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction with both internal and external customers
• Manages requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
• Mentors other engineers within the team
• Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Frequently interacts with subordinate supervisors, customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• BS degree in Engineering (i.e., Systems, Electrical, Computer, etc.) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 5 - 8 years of experience in a systems engineering role
• Aerospace systems engineering experience preferred
• Experience writing Systems Safety protocols and ensuring personnel safety during field testing
• Experience in taking a product from concept to production with contract manufacturers a plus
• Managed requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
• Experienced in providing weekly status of system development progress with requirements burn down
• Allocated requirements to subsystem & engineering coordination
• Evaluated system performance thresholds and providing direction
• Development of instrumented flight test vectors and data acquisition
• Provided input for model development and simulation analysis
• Has developed systems test plans, procedures and reports, reviewed and interpreted customer specification

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• MS preferred in Computer Science, Aero-Mechanical Eng., Electrical Eng. Mechanical Eng.
• Must be able to provide clear and concise communication (written and oral), as well as provide professional presentations
• Familiarity with electronics and systems related to image collection and analysis
• Demonstrates clear oral communication and well-organized documentation skills
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

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

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$91,000 - $138,750

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 .

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.

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

AV develops integrated systems for modern warfare, focusing on real-world missions across autonomous systems, cyber warfare, and advanced technologies to shape future conflicts.

Defense and Space Manufacturing Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Manufacturing

Company size 1,001–5,000 employees

Company type Public company

Total funding $1.6B Post IPO Equity

Momentum

Team growth

30% in 12 mo

2,772 employees on LinkedIn

Capital

Funding history

Post IPO Debt$650M

Jul 2025

Post IPO Equity$875M

Jul 2025

Post IPO Equity$109M

Sep 2023

Post IPO Equity$50M

Feb 2021

Footprint

Where they work

Headquarters Arlington, Virginia