Senior System Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Georgetown (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability

Paid time off

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Training reimbursements

Other work/life programs

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to lead and perform software integration for Linux-based HPC environments. you will install, configure, and sustain COTS/GOTS/FOSS software, administer Linux systems, and automate with Bash/Python.

The role spans compute, storage, networking, and security with strong CI/CD, IaC, and containerization focus. Collaborating across software, security, and operations teams, you’ll drive high availability, scalability, and observability, while

Qualifications

• Must have TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Experience leading systems engineering efforts on complex programs.
• Proficiency with Linux CLI and scripting (Bash/Python).
• Experience with software integration, CI/CD, IaC, and containerized environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead software integration across Linux-based HPC environments.
• Install, configure, and sustain Linux software, libraries, and packages.
• Administer Linux systems: service management, configuration, troubleshooting.
• Provision and maintain compute, storage, and network infra.
• Develop Bash and Python scripts to automate tasks and deployments.
• Build automated infrastructure with IaC (Ansible).
• Support CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps using GitLab CI/Git.
• Deploy and maintain Docker containers and Kubernetes clusters.
• Support Big Data streaming/batch processing frameworks.
• Manage secret management (HashiCorp Vault).
• Manage PKI lifecycle: requests, renewals, revocation, troubleshooting.
• Handle PKI for NPEs, wildcard certs, and FQDNs.
• Develop monitoring/observability to improve operations.
• Collaborate with software, security, infra, and program teams.
• Document architectures, configurations, and procedures.
• Plan/lead systems engineering for similar scope projects.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring.

Skills

Linux administration

Scripting (Python/Bash)

DevSecOps practices

Infrastructure as Code (Ansible)

CI/CD pipelines

Docker

Kubernetes

PKI / Vault

Git/GitLab CI

Automation scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering / CS / IS / Eng. Sci. / Eng. Mgmt or related

Tools

GitLab CI

Git

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes

HashiCorp Vault

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

Worker Type Regular. AV is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in a highly technical, hands‑on role focused on integrating, automating, and sustaining high-performance computing (HPC) systems in a Linux environment. Unlike a traditional systems engineering position, this role requires deep practical experience with Linux administration, software integration, infrastructure automation, containerized environments, DevSecOps practices, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The successful candidate will work across software, infrastructure, security, and operations teams to ensure that HPC platforms are highly available, scalable, secure, and maintainable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and perform software integration activities across Linux-based HPC environments.
• Install, configure, integrate, and sustain COTS, GOTS, and FOSS software, libraries, and packages.
• Administer Linux systems using the command line, including service management, configuration, troubleshooting, and routine sustainment operations.
• Support the provisioning, configuration, and maintenance of compute, storage, and network infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain Bash and Python scripts to automate system administration, deployment, monitoring, and operational tasks.
• Design, implement, and maintain automated infrastructure solutions that improve system availability, scalability, repeatability, and operational efficiency.
• Apply Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and configuration-management practices using tools such as Ansible.
• Support CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps processes using tools such as GitLab CI and Git.
• Deploy and maintain containerized applications and services using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Support stream and batch Big Data processing and analytics frameworks.
• Implement and maintain secret‑management solutions, including HashiCorp Vault or similar products.
• Manage PKI infrastructure and certificate lifecycles, including certificate requests, installation, renewal, revocation, and troubleshooting.
• Support PKI requirements involving network‑protected entities (NPEs), wildcard certificates, and fully qualified domain names (FQDNs).
• Develop and maintain system monitoring and observability solutions to support operational awareness and rapid fault isolation.
• Collaborate with software developers, cybersecurity professionals, infrastructure engineers, and program stakeholders to resolve technical issues and improve system performance.
• Document system architectures, configurations, procedures, and operational processes.
• Plan and lead systems engineering activities for projects and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor other engineers, and contribute to engineering standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Twenty (20) years of experience as a Systems Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or a related discipline.
• Five (5) years of additional Systems Engineering experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree.
• Proficiency using the Linux command-line interface.
• Demonstrated experience developing scripts using Bash and/or Python.
• Experience administering Linux systems, including: Software integration Service management Configuration management System provisioning Storage and networking support Routine sustainment and troubleshooting operations
• Experience installing, configuring, integrating, and supporting COTS, GOTS, and FOSS software, libraries, and packages in a Linux environment.
• Experience with FOSS secret‑management products, including HashiCorp Vault.
• Experience supporting stream and batch Big Data processing and analytics frameworks.
• Experience applying CI/CD principles, methodologies, and tools such as GitLab CI.
• Experience applying Infrastructure as Code principles and automating infrastructure provisioning and configuration using tools such as Ansible.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker.
• Experience with Kubernetes or similar container‑orchestration platforms.
• Working knowledge of PKI infrastructure, principles, and concepts, including: PKI certificate lifecycle management Network‑protected entities (NPEs) Wildcard certificates Fully qualified domain names (FQDNs)
• Experience using Git for source-code management.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience using the Atlassian tool suite, including Jira and Confluence.
• Demonstrated experience using system monitoring and observability tools such as Prometheus and Grafana.
• Experience supporting high‑performance computing, high‑performance data analytics, or other large‑scale distributed computing environments.
• Experience troubleshooting complex issues across operating systems, applications, networks, storage, and infrastructure automation.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $125,000-$220,000

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Benefits

• health insurance
• life insurance
• disability
• company holiday and paid time off
• parental leave
• 401(k) company match and contributions
• professional development/training reimbursements
• other work/life programs

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• paid holiday shutdown

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.

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.

Please visit our website at http://www.avinc.com for more information.

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

Careers at AeroVironment