System Test Engineer III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental vision

401K with company matching

a 9/80 work schedule

paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a System Test Engineer II to develop and execute System Test Plans for small unmanned air vehicles and missiles. You will log and analyze data, document results, and support developmental and flight tests across subsystems.

The role requires collaboration with the Flight Test Director, writing test cards, and ensuring proper test configurations. Travel within the Continental U.S. is expected, with a focus on timely test execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 2-5 years' experience in related industry or projects that include conducting system or flight tests.
• Experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing is a plus.
• Experience as a pilot or aircrew member would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support developmental test and evaluation of sub-system, model-scale, and full scale testing.
• Assist the Flight Test Director during flight tests.
• Determine and communicate subsystem, system and flight test objectives.
• Develop test cards to verify that those objectives are met.
• Review System Requirement documents to help ensure requirements are concise and testable.
• Participate in test and flight readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefs.
• Ensure test assets are prepared to support testing, including proper configuration of product hardware and software, writing test cards and procedures, and maintaining test equipment.
• Process and analyze test data to determine test results.
• Analyze large test data sets using software tools (MATLAB or Excel).
• Capture test activities, fill in test data sheets, and transfer telemetry files to the network.
• Enter test failures or anomalies in an issue tracking system database.
• Summarize test activities and results in reports.

Skills

Testing & verification

Scripting

Automation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

System Test Engineer II

The System Test Engineer II develops and executes System Test Plans for small, unmanned air vehicles and missiles and their associated subsystems. Testing encompasses simulator, ground and flight tests and includes logging and analyzing data and documenting test results.

Key Responsibilities

• Support developmental test and evaluation of sub-system, model-scale, and full scale testing.
• Assist the Flight Test Director during flight tests.
• Determine and communicate subsystem, system and flight test objectives.
• Develop test cards to verify that those objectives are met.
• Review System Requirement documents to help ensure requirements are concise and testable.
• Participate in test and flight readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefs.
• Ensure test assets are prepared to support testing, including proper configuration of product hardware and software, writing test cards and procedures, and maintaining test equipment.
• Process and analyze test data to determine test results.
• Analyze large test data sets using software tools (MATLAB or Excel).
• Capture test activities, fill in test data sheets, and transfer telemetry files to the network.
• Enter test failures or anomalies in an issue tracking system database.
• Summarize test activities and results in reports.
• Determine regression test requirements based on specific sub-system modifications.
• Develop ad-hoc tests to troubleshoot test failures.
• Responsible for estimating time required to conduct testing and completing assigned tasks within the project schedule.
• Work with outside test labs and assist technicians during testing when required.
• Receives general instructions on routine work and more detailed instructions on new projects.
• Works within specific requirements to complete tasks under moderate supervision.
• Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Contributes to meeting project cost and schedule.
• Applies company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues.
• Typically performs multiple tasks on one project.
• Completes tasks within schedule and budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related discipline (Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Minimum of 2 - 5 years' experience in related industry or projects that include conducting system or flight tests.

Experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing is a plus.

Experience as a pilot or aircrew member would be beneficial.

Position requires 10-30% travel within the Continental U.S.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• A relevant MS or PhD graduate in related discipline is preferred.
• Work with product development engineers to derive test requirements based on product specifications and modifications.
• Has willingness to learn and expand technical understanding of wind tunnel test techniques and measurement systems.
• Is effective in conversing technically with experts in the fields of test instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Skilled at documenting test plans, procedures, and reports;
• Verbally directing UAV Operators and Observers during flight tests;
• Capturing system test requirements;
• Recording test failures and reporting test results.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company.
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and strong communication skills.
• Focused on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests.
• Demonstrates ability to work well with others across disciplines.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Occasional).
• Able to frequently work outdoors in extreme weather conditions (hot and cold temperatures) and occasionally at night; Able to traverse across uneven ground and varying terrain (Frequent).
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent).
• Able to lift, carry and/or move objects of varying sizes and shapes up to 50 lbs. (Frequent); Required to carry and set up equipment at test site locations (Frequent).
• Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble product (Frequent).
• Able to repeatedly throw objects up to 16 lbs. over shoulder (Frequent).
• Able to maintain visual line of sight of unmanned air vehicles up to 1 kilometer away (Frequent).

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $100,500 - $171,000.

ITAR Requirement

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 must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A U.S. person according to the ITAR 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.

ITAR U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.

Benefits

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.

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

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.

EEO Statement

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.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.