Systems Engineering - Defense

Systems Engineer works with our Design team to develop a variety of innovative Unmanned Systems for defense and commercial applications. This position will interact with Controls Engineers to allocate requirements and develop architectures to drive simulation models. 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.
Allocate requirements to subsystem & engineering coordination

• Evaluate system performance thresholds and providing direction
• Work with Senior Staff Engineers in developing instrumented flight test vectors and data acquisition
• Provide input for model development and simulation analysis
• Review and interpret customer specification effectively
• Work on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles
• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 8 - 12 years of experience in a systems engineering role (Aerospace systems engineering preferred)
• Proficiency with C/C++ and Matlab required
• 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
• Writing Systems Safety protocols and ensuring personnel safety during field testing

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
• 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
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
• talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

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.
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”). 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. S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. 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. We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. 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.
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. 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._
Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.