Senior Scene Generation Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Huntsville, AL seeks a Scene Generation Engineer to lead the design, development, and validation of high-fidelity 3D radiometric environments for tactical, strategic, and surveillance scenarios.

You will ensure real-time hardware-in-the-loop integration, contribute to tool development, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, hardware-focused setting. The role requires strong C++, OpenGL, CUDA, Python skills; Linux proficiency; and experience with version control and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, CS, software engineering or related technical field.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate high-fidelity physics-based 3D radiometric models for scene generation software.
• Integrate scene generation software into real-time hardware-in-the-loop laboratories and resolve issues.
• Develop tools to support model development, integration, analysis and visualization.
• Review peers’ code and provide technical feedback and guidance.
• Mentor junior software engineers and promote software engineering best practices.

Skills

C++

OpenGL

CUDA

Python

Linux

Software architecture

Object-oriented design

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics/CS/Software Engineering

Tools

Git

Version control

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description The Engineering Services Division is searching for a Scene Generation Engineer towards the design, development, and validation of high-fidelity physics-based 3D radiometric synthetic environments across a full range of environments encompassing tactical, strategic and surveillance scenarios. Provide a working understanding in multiple disciplines, including radiometry of targets and background scene objects, graphical programming, advanced software and architecture development, and real-time hardware-in-the-loop system integration. The ideal candidate has experience in software development in a distributed team environment, is proficient using Linux, has graphical programming experience especially with regards to physics-based rendering, and understands and has experience with the principles of radiometry and reflection of electromagnetic energy. Design, develop, and validate high-fidelity physics-based 3D radiometric synthetic models for use in scene generation software across a full range of environments encompassing tactical, strategic and surveillance scenarios. Provide integration support of our scene generation software into real-time hardware-in-the-loop laboratories, providing expertise to resolve software and integration issues and ensure scene generation quality. Develop software tools to advance and support model development, integration, analysis and visualization, and enhanced user interfaces. Review software developed by peers and provide technical feedback and guidance. Mentor junior software engineers and promote software engineering best practices. Identify opportunities to improve software quality, development efficiency, and system performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible software engineering experience.
• Strong experience in object-oriented software design and development.
• Experience with software architecture and design patterns.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following: C++, OpenGL, CUDA, Python
• Experience developing applications in Linux environments.
• Experience with Git or other version control systems.
• Experience with software testing methodologies and debugging tools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Follows standard practices and procedures when analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.
• Completes assigned tasks within schedule and budget.
• Works comfortably in a team environment by sharing ideas and experiences with others, solicits feedback and asks relevant questions.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
• Ability to obtain or maintain required security clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing Secret security clearance
• Graphical programming experience especially with regards to physics-based rendering
• Understands and has experience with the principles of radiometry and reflection of electromagnetic energy
• Experience working within DoD development environments.

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. See AV Inovements: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

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. ITAR 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. Careers at AeroVironment