Software Engineer - Full-Stack Developer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Software Engineer / Full‑Stack Developer to innovate and lead feature improvements, including advanced data analytics and AI integrations, on a real‑time dataflow project for a national security customer.

Work is hybrid with offices in Herndon, VA or Annapolis Junction, MD, requiring an active TS/SCI clearance. The role involves building capabilities for software deployed on classified networks, using modern front- and back-end tech in a collaborative agile team,

Qualifications

• 8+ years of practical software engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree may substitute 4 years experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute 6 years experience.
• Ph.D. may substitute 7 years experience.
• Proficiency with Java, Spring Framework/Boot/Security, JavaScript, TypeScript, MongoDB, PostgreSQL via RDS, Linux, Git, Docker, Angular, D3, VueJS, or React.
• AI coding agents familiarity and transparent usage.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead feature improvements such as data analytics and AI-enabled real-time dataflows.
• Develop features for a software project deployed on classified networks.
• Design and deploy tools for customers’ mission in an agile team.
• Code and test high-quality software in a responsive, evolving environment.
• Lead tasks coordinating with other technical resources.
• Operate in a start-up-like setting emphasizing initiative and collaboration.

Skills

Java

JavaScript

TypeScript

Docker

Angular

React

VueJS

D3

MongoDB

PostgreSQL

Linux

Git

Tools

Apache Nifi

RDS (PostgreSQL)

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Overview

AV is seeking a Software Engineer / Full‑Stack Developer to join an established customer‑facing project supporting U.S. national security. We need an additional team member to build (and lead) application feature improvements, such as advanced data analytics and integration of AI capabilities to enrich real‑time dataflows. Work location is out of the AV office in Herndon, Virginia or Annapolis Junction, Maryland with hybrid work available. An active TS/SCI clearance is required.

Job Description

• Build (and lead) application feature improvements such as advanced data analytics and integration of AI capabilities to enrich real‑time dataflows.


• Build new features and capabilities for a software project deployed on classified networks.


• Use creativity, initiative, and teamwork to design and deploy build software tools for our customers’ mission.


• Code and test high‑quality software in a responsive agile team environment driven by dynamically evolving software requirements.


• Lead tasks in coordination with other technical resources.


• Work in a “start‑up‑like” environment that emphasizes initiative, velocity, customer responsiveness, and collaboration alongside a team of full‑stack software engineers using Agile methodologies.


• Implement agentic coding and other enterprise AI systems to expand capabilities and to improve team efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of practical software engineering experience. Less experience will be considered for exceptional candidates.


• A Bachelor’s Degree may be substituted for 4 years of experience.


• A Master’s Degree may be substituted for 6 years of experience.


• A Ph.D. may be substituted for 7 years of experience.


• Higher job titles and responsibilities available with more years of experience.


• Proficiency with one or more of the following: Java, Spring Framework/Boot/Security, JavaScript, TypeScript, Apache Nifi, MongoDB, PostgreSQL via RDS, Linux, Git, Docker, Angular, D3, VueJS, or React.


• Demonstrated proficiency in applying sound software engineering principles, practices, and controls.


• Familiarization with using AI coding agents in a transparent way, especially since technical capabilities advanced in December 2025.


• Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• 12 years of experience or more for expanded responsibilities


• Substantive knowledge of global finance, financial data, or blockchain/cryptocurrency.


• Experience building and maintaining a large‑scale database or large‑scale real‑time data flows, to include database schema design, query, and storage optimization.


• Understanding of various file formats for database ingestion and experience with ETL.


• Use of modern coding practices, with an emphasis on type safety, unit testing, and CI/CD pipelines.


• Strength as either a front‑end or back‑end engineer, yet full‑stack skills are preference.


• Experience designing, developing or supporting an API capable of servicing a high volume of requests.


• Experience in a broad range of technical knowledge, including software, systems engineering, systems architecture, networking, functional analysis, systems analysis, usability engineering, and testing in an agile environment.


• Working and succeeding on teams following Agile methodologies.

Salary Range

$83,500 to 208,000

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


• a 9/80 work schedule


• a paid holiday shutdown

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