The Principal Engineer - Systems Engineering works with our Design team to develop a missile system for defense applications. This position will interact with the other engineering disciplines as well as suppliers to allocate/develop/evaluate requirements as well as maintain development schedules. These development efforts will generally be small focused design teams, which will require engineers to use a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines. Because of the nature of the development efforts, the engineer will need to work on a variety of stages of development including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, validation and verification testing.
Position Responsibilities
Support requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
Provide weekly status of system development progress with requirements burn down
Allocate requirements to subsystem & engineering coordination
Manage/facilitate supplier efforts to support the design cycle and test events
Evaluate system performance thresholds and providing direction
Provide input for model development and simulation analysis
Review and interpret customer specification effectively
Identifies, analyzes and resolves system design weaknesses. Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across multiple products or systems
Work on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles
Exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
Determine methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel (Team Lead and cross-functional partnerships)
Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
Bachelors degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
10-12 years of experience in a systems engineering role (Aerospace systems engineering preferred)
4-7 years of experience in applying Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to design.
5-7 years of experience with Cameo or 5 yrs of Software creation experience.
Has managed requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycle
Provided an effective weekly status of system development progress with requirements burn down
Allocated requirements to subsystem & engineering coordination
Evaluated system performance thresholds and providing direction
Developed instrumented flight test vectors and data acquisition
Provided input for model development and simulation analysis
Strong Matlab skills and is proficient with office software and computer based productivity tools
Familiarity with electronics and systems related to image collection and analysis
Has developed systems test plans, procedures, and reports and reviewed and interpreted specifications
Writing Systems Safety protocols and ensuring personnel safety during field testing
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
Advanced degree is preferred
10 years of experience with Cameo
7 years of experience successfully applying MOSA or 7 yrs of experience creating Software
Understanding and experience applying MIL-STD-882, MIL-STD-1316, JTOP-052, and AOP 52
Experience using JAMA and JIRA preferred
Taking a product from concept to production with contract manufacturers is a plus
Exposure to Guidance Navigation and Control Systems along with Modeling Simulation & Control and Model-Based Systems Engineering is helpful but not required
Knowledge of Simulink, Ansys and Solidworks preferred
Proficiency with C/C and Matlab
Possesses an interest in creating Architectures using Model Based Engineering tools.
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
Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
Consistently demonstrates teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above ones own interests
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
Special Requirements
Must be eligible to obtain a Secret security clearance
Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.
Clearance Level
SecretThe salary range for this role is:
$133,500 - $189,525AeroVironment 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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.