Senior Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the design, integration, and evolution of mission-critical systems. You will translate high-level mission needs into verifiable requirements and contribute to system architectures and cross-team integration.

The role emphasizes requirements development, architecture, and lifecycle integration with a focus on delivering reliable, scalable UAS and related systems. Strong collaboration and TS/SCI clearance are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or math field.
• 8–12 years of systems engineering experience, aerospace preferred.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Analyze user requirements, CONOPS, and system architectures to develop system requirements and specifications
• Support system design, integration, and implementation activities across the full lifecycle
• Assist in developing system architecture, interface definitions, and design documentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between system requirements and implementation
• Support system integration and test planning, including validation of system performance
• Participate in requirements allocation across hardware, software, and system components
• Contribute to development of system engineering artifacts such as system engineering plans and interface control documents
• Support technical assessments, trade studies, and feasibility analysis
• Coordinate with stakeholders to resolve technical issues, risks, and integration challenges
• Maintain clear and accurate technical documentation throughout the system lifecycle

Skills

Requirements development

System architecture

System integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DoDAF

SOA

Agile / Hybrid development

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description

Job Summary The primary role of the Systems Engineer is to support the design, integration, and evolution of mission-critical systems within a complex operational environment. This role focuses on requirements development, system architecture, and cross-team integration to ensure solutions align with mission needs and technical constraints. You will work closely with engineers, analysts, and stakeholders to translate high-level requirements into actionable system designs, support system integration efforts, and contribute to the delivery of reliable, scalable solutions.

Position Responsibilities

• Analyze user requirements, CONOPS, and system architectures to develop system requirements and specifications
• Support system design, integration, and implementation activities across the full lifecycle
• Assist in developing system architecture, interface definitions, and design documentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between system requirements and implementation
• Support system integration and test planning, including validation of system performance
• Participate in requirements allocation across hardware, software, and system components
• Contribute to development of system engineering artifacts such as system engineering plans and interface control documents
• Support technical assessments, trade studies, and feasibility analysis
• Coordinate with stakeholders to resolve technical issues, risks, and integration challenges
• Maintain clear and accurate technical documentation throughout the system lifecycle

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience 8 - 12 years of experience in a systems engineering role (Aerospace systems engineering preferred) Experience with requirements development, system design, and system integration Experience working within structured system engineering processes and lifecycle methodologies Ability to translate high-level mission needs into system-level requirements Strong communication skills with the ability to work across technical teams and stakeholders Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

Experience supporting DoDAF, SOA, or enterprise-level system architectures Familiarity with system integration, test planning, and validation processes Experience contributing to system engineering documentation and technical deliverables Ability to support technical decision-making through analysis and trade studies Experience working in Agile or hybrid development environments Ability to operate independently while contributing to team-based engineering efforts

Salary Range

Salary Range: $125,000 - $219,500 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. This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs. Note: Our team is always interested in speaking with exceptional candidates though please note this is a Pipeline posting with more of an eye towards our future needs rather than necessarily being an immediate hire. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

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

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

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.

About AV

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 U.S. Citizenship required 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.