Senior Systems Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; 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 Senior Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency’s DoG program from its California-based operations.

The role requires senior-level systems engineering across multiple domains, ensuring alignment with MDA objectives and secure development practices. Responsibilities include coordinating PDR/CDR activities, conducting system analyses, and presenting executive-level briefings to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant systems engineering or technical experience for missile defense programs.
• Master’s Degree in STEM.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Strong understanding of MDA system engineering processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of system architecture and system elements (e.g., Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, C2BMC).
• Familiarity with secure development practices and cybersecurity-informed engineering.

Responsibilities

• Perform integrated analysis and evaluation of DoG test events (Flight Tests, Ground Tests, SICO).
• Support PDR/CDR, TRRs, and technical assessments planning.
• Coordinate schedules, resolve issues, and ensure technical accuracy across stakeholders.
• Develop executive briefings, technical papers, and senior leadership correspondence.
• Represent Government customer in IPTs, working groups, and forums.

Skills

Systems engineering

DoD programs

Stakeholder coordination

Technical briefings

Office proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in STEM

Tools

DOORS

Windchill

Qlik

ETMS-2

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

AV is looking for a highly talented Senior Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Program Office delivering critical capabilities for the Defense of Guam (DoG). This role supports a priority national defense effort in a dynamic environment, ensuring effective integration of missile defense elements to protect a key strategic location. The candidate will provide senior-level systems engineering support, guiding technical efforts across multiple domains and ensuring alignment with MDA objectives.

Job Description

Perform integrated analysis and evaluation of DoG test events including Flight Tests, Ground Tests, and System Integration Check Out (SICO) activities. Participate in and support engineering milestones such as Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and technical assessments. Collaborate with stakeholders across MDA and supporting organizations to coordinate schedules, resolve issues, and ensure technical accuracy. Provide input on secure system design considerations, risk identification, and mitigation strategies. Lead or support technical interchange meetings (TIMs), action tracking, and meeting coordination. Develop executive-level briefings, technical papers, and correspondence for senior leaders, including Flag Officers and SES personnel. Coordinate GENser and SAP-level meetings and VTCs as needed. Represent the Government customer in IPTs, working groups, and forums. Apply engineering tools such as DOORS, Windchill, and Qlik for analysis and coordination. Support efforts related to system security, including compliance tracking or integration of cybersecurity inputs into engineering processes.

Required

• 12+ years of relevant systems engineering or technical experience for missile defense related programs


• Master's Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field


• Active Secret clearance


• Strong understanding of MDA systems engineering processes and procedures


• Demonstrate understanding of system architecture and system


• Experience with MDA system elements (e.g., Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, C2BMC)


• Familiarity with secure development practices, configuration management, and cybersecurity-informed engineering


• Knowledge of the Electronic Task Management System 2 (ETMS-2) system and experience managing Congressional or routine taskers


• Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively across diverse technical teams


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project)


• Skilled in developing and delivering technical briefings to senior decision-makers

Desired

• Background that includes exposure to secure system development and cybersecurity-informed engineering practices


• Bachelor's degree in STEM in addition to Master's degree in STEM


• 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.

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.

Company Overview

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.

EEO & Equal Opportunity

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