Lead Systems Engineer

Worker Type Regular Job Description Position Summary The Lead Systems Engineer is responsible for leading requirements management, architecture definition, interface control, and verification planning for complex, multi-disciplinary systems. They will collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and test teams to integrate subsystems into mission-capable solutions, manage technical risks, and ensure our systems meet customer performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Design Develop, decompose, and manage system and subsystem requirements from customer needs through verification and validation Establish and maintain bidirectional traceability between requirements, design elements, and verification methods using requirements management tools Define and document system and subsystem interfaces (mechanical, electrical, optical, RF, data) through Interface Control Documents (ICDs) Develop system architectures, functional flows, and physical decompositions for electromechanical, opto-mechanical, and RF systems Conduct trade studies and technical analyses to support design decisions and optimize system performance against cost, schedule, and performance constraints Create verification matrices and test plans that map requirements to appropriate verification methods (test, analysis, inspection, demonstration) Develop integration strategies and support integration activities for multi-disciplinary systems across subsystems and suppliers Support system-level testing, verification events, and validation activities to ensure requirements are met Collaborate daily with mechanical, electrical, software, optical, and RF engineers to resolve technical issues and ensure system-level integration Identify, assess, and track technical risks; develop mitigation plans in collaboration with engineering teams Prepare technical specifications, reports, design documentation, and presentations for internal teams and customers Assess impact of requirements changes and support change control processes to maintain technical and programmatic integrity Contribute to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, templates, and best practices Technical Leadership & Coordination Serve as the technical lead across cross-functional teams (e.g., electrical, mechanical, software, RF, test, manufacturing, quality). Lead customer and technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.), ensuring design maturity and risk mitigation. Provide technical guidance to systems engineers and contributing engineers and review technical work products for quality, completeness, and alignment with system requirements. Act as the primary technical point of contact for internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers. Represent technical status and risk to internal leadership/stakeholders during reviews such as PMRs. Requirements & Configuration Management Lead requirements capture, analysis, allocation, and traceability using appropriate tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, etc.). Manage configuration baselines and ensure changes are controlled, documented, and communicated. Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and customer specifications. Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V) Define system integration strategy and test approach across lab, field, and production environments. Develop and/or oversee test plans, procedures, and reports for system-level verification and validation. Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for integration and test issues, collaborating with design teams. Risk, Quality & Lifecycle Management Identify technical risks and opportunities; develop and maintain mitigation/contingency plans. Support reliability, safety, and FMEA/FMECA analyses as required. Contribute to lifecycle planning, including production transition, sustainment, and end-of-life strategies. Project Support & Communication Work closely with Program/Project Management to align technical scope, schedule, and budget. Provide technical input to proposals, estimates, and customer presentations. Prepare and deliver clear technical documentation, design reports, and briefings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Mentoring & Process Improvement Mentor junior engineers in systems engineering principles, tools, and best practices. Champion and help refine systems engineering processes, methods, and tools to improve efficiency and product quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Typically 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, including significant systems engineering responsibility.
• 2+ years in a technical lead, team lead, or equivalent role preferred.
• Technical Skills Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle (concept, requirements, design, integration, verification, validation, deployment, sustainment).
• Demonstrated experience integrating hardware and software subsystems into a cohesive solution.
• Proficiency in system-level analysis (e.g., performance budgets, interface control, trade studies).
• Familiarity with configuration management and version control practices.
• Soft Skills Proven leadership and mentoring abilities in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to simplify complex technical topics.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and resource constraints.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Preferred Qualifications (Customize as Needed)

Preferred Qualifications (Customize as Needed)

• Experience with requirements management and systems modeling tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, Cameo/MagicDraw, Enterprise Architect).
• Experience in aerospace/defense, unmanned systems, or large technical multidiscipline program of comparable complexity.
• Experience with safety-critical or mission-critical systems.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Occasional travel to customer, supplier, or test sites.

Robotics & Autonomy Solutions (RAS)

• Typically 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, with demonstrated experience leading complex systems engineering activities, multidisciplinary technical teams, or major system/subsystem efforts.
• Candidates with 10–15 years of relevant experience are strongly preferred.
• e for large subsystem.
• Clearance Level No Clearance

The salary range for this role is: $128,000 - $195,250. 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:
• We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

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.

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.

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