We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Electrical Engineer to join our Laser Communications Program as a Components (EEE) Parts Engineer. This is an entry-level role designed for an engineer who is passionate about hardware reliability, component physics, and the challenge of preparing electronics for the harsh environment of space.

In this role, you will be mentored by senior technical authorities to learn the intricacies of component selection, standardization, and radiation effects. You will play a vital role in ensuring that every passive and active component in our system is capable of surviving mission-critical operations.

Key Responsibilities

Component Selection & Learning

• Support Technical Selection: Assist senior engineers in identifying and qualifying components (passives, actives, ICs, high-speed digital, power, and others) that meet specific program requirements.
• Standards Development: Learn to interpret and apply military and space standards (e.g., MIL-STD, EEE-INST, PEM-INST) to component screening and qualification.
• Liaison Support: Act as a junior technical link between design engineering, procurement, and quality teams to track the lifecycle of parts from design to deployment.
• Database Management: Assist in maintaining the master ECAD library and Parts Management Database, ensuring data integrity for the entire engineering team.

Risk Mitigation & Obsolescence

• Obsolescence Tracking: Monitor End of Life (EOL) notices from manufacturers and assist in identifying suitable form-fit-function replacements to prevent production delays.
• Industry Alerts: Learn to analyze and process GIDEP (Government-Industry Data Exchange Program) alerts and Product Change Notices (PCNs).
• Counterfeit Prevention: Support the implementation of counterfeit part detection strategies through inspection and documentation review.

Reliability & Radiation Assurance

• Radiation Hardening: Work alongside radiation effects specialists to learn how ionizing radiation impacts semiconductor performance. Assist in documenting part-specific radiation tolerances for space-based systems.
• Documentation: Generate and maintain essential compliance reports and Non-Standard Part Approval Requests (NSPARs).
• Testing Support: Help coordinate component-level testing, including burn-in, environmental stress screening, and specialized radiation testing.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Technical Foundation: Strong understanding of circuit fundamentals, semiconductor physics, and electronic components.
• Academic/Project Exposure: Experience (via coursework or internships) with analog/digital design, electro-optical/mechanical design or laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers).
• Interest in Radiation Effects: A demonstrated interest in radiation-hardened electronics, material science, or space environments.
• Analytical Mindset: Exceptional attention to detail and a methodical approach to data management and documentation.
• Clearance: Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred Skills

• Exposure to ECAD/MCAD tools (Altium/Solidworks).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Suite, Python, MATLAB for data analysis and report generation.
• Previous internship experience in the Aerospace, Defense, or Semiconductor manufacturing sectors.

Clearance Level

 

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

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.

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.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

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 youre ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

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