Senior Systems Engineer – Human Performance Research

AeroVironment, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer – Human Performance Research to support government research programs and advance human performance concepts into operational capabilities.

The role applies systems engineering to define problems, evaluate solutions, and document workflows while coordinating across government, software, hardware, and research teams. Onsite at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or in a scientific discipline related to systems engineering, human performance, or human effectiveness.
• Demonstrated expertise in a systems discipline, such as: Systems engineering, Human systems integration, Systems/Data Architecture, Modeling and analysis, Technical program engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems thinking and a systems approach to complex problem definition and solution development.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or approving technical documentation for software and hardware systems.
• Demonstrable experience evaluating technical performance, system designs, workflows, or research capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Apply systems thinking and a systems approach to problem definition, analysis, and solution development.
• Review software, hardware, system, and workflow designs for technical quality, feasibility, and alignment with user and program requirements.
• Lead or support the development, review, and approval of technical documentation for software and hardware development.
• Evaluate technical performance, system maturity, integration considerations, and transition readiness.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, interfaces, and potential impacts to research or operational objectives.
• Support research-to-operations planning and the transition of research capabilities into usable government or operational environments.
• Collaborate with government customers, researchers, software developers, hardware engineers, program managers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Provide clear technical recommendations and support informed engineering and program decisions.
• Prepare and present technical briefings, assessments, roadmaps, and recommendations to government and program leadership.

Skills

Systems engineering

Human systems integration

Systems architecture

Modeling & analysis

Technical documentation

Education

Master’s degree in engineering or related to systems engineering, human performance, or human effectiveness

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer – Human Performance Research to support government research programs focused on human performance and human effectiveness. This position will apply systems engineering principles to define complex problems, evaluate technical solutions, and help transition research capabilities into practical operational applications. The successful candidate will work across government, engineering, software, hardware, and research teams. The role will focus on reviewing software and hardware designs, assessing technical performance, managing technical risks, and ensuring that research workflows and system concepts are clearly documented and aligned with program objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply systems thinking and a systems approach to problem definition, analysis, and solution development.
• Review software, hardware, system, and workflow designs for technical quality, feasibility, and alignment with user and program requirements.
• Lead or support the development, review, and approval of technical documentation for software and hardware development.
• Evaluate technical performance, system maturity, integration considerations, and transition readiness.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, interfaces, and potential impacts to research or operational objectives.
• Support research-to-operations planning and the transition of research capabilities into usable government or operational environments.
• Collaborate with government customers, researchers, software developers, hardware engineers, program managers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Provide clear technical recommendations and support informed engineering and program decisions.
• Prepare and present technical briefings, assessments, roadmaps, and recommendations to government and program leadership.

Representative Technical Documentation

The position may direct, develop, review, or approve documentation such as Technical roadmaps, System Design Documents, Use cases, System topologies and architectures, Test plans, Product transition plans, Technical proposals, Requirements and interface documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or in a scientific discipline related to systems engineering, human performance, or human effectiveness.
• Demonstrated expertise in a systems discipline, such as: Systems engineering, Human systems integration, Systems/Data Architecture, Modeling and analysis, Technical program engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems thinking and a systems approach to complex problem definition and solution development.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or approving technical documentation for software and hardware systems.
• Demonstrable experience evaluating technical performance, system designs, workflows, or research capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and government stakeholders.

Position is onsite at a government installation (Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH).

US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or human-performance research programs.
• Experience working with research and development organizations or government laboratories.
• Experience conceptualizing how research concepts, prototypes, or demonstrations can become operational capabilities.
• Familiarity with software development, system integration, requirements development, verification and validation, and technical risk management.
• Experience supporting technical program management or leading multidisciplinary engineering efforts.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to contribute to high-impact government research involving human performance and human effectiveness. The successful candidate will help shape technical solutions, improve the quality of research and workflow designs, and support the transition of innovative capabilities from research environments into operational use.

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
• 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.

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