Associate Systems Engineer

Worker Type

Regular
Job Description

Summary:

The Associate Systems Engineer works with the Design Team to develop innovative uncrewed systems for defense and commercial applications.

This position collaborates with Design Engineers to allocate requirements and execute system tests that support customer needs. Development efforts are generally conducted by small, focused teams, requiring engineers to apply a broad range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematics.

Due to the nature of these efforts, the engineer may contribute to multiple stages of the development lifecycle, including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed system architecture design, validation, and verification testing.

Position Responsibilities

- Develop, analyze, allocate, and maintain system, subsystem, and interface requirements throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Maintain bidirectional traceability among system requirements, subsystem requirements, verification methods, and test results based on customer specifications.
- Provide weekly updates to team leads on system development progress, including requirements burndown.
- Review, document, and maintain internal and external system interfaces, including Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and coordinate interface changes across cross-functional teams.
- Review and support the execution of test plans, procedures, and test cases for bench, software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), integration, ground, and flight testing of uncrewed systems.
- Review system requirements documents to ensure requirements are clear, concise, complete, and testable.
- Ensure test assets are prepared to support testing, including the proper configuration of product hardware and software, preparation of test cards and procedures, and maintenance of test equipment.
- Process and analyze test data to determine results. Analyze large data sets using software tools such as MATLAB or Excel.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills and Experience)

- Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- 0–2 years of engineering design or development experience.
- Ability to work with product development engineers to derive test requirements from product specifications and modifications.
- Ability to update and review test plans, procedures, and reports; document test failures; and report test results.

Other Qualifications and Desired Competencies

- Willingness to learn and expand technical knowledge of systems engineering processes, including requirements development, decomposition, traceability, system design, and the execution of verification and validation (V&V) test events.
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment in which small teams share a broad range of responsibilities.
- Demonstrate initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
- Ability to take ownership of and responsibility for current and past work products.
- Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving the performance of oneself, others, and the company.
- Demonstrate problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Commitment to teamwork and collaboration, with a focus on the success of the team.
- Ability to work effectively with others across multiple disciplines.
- Experience with software tools or programming is a plus.

Physical Demands

- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments. (constant)
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods and frequently talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. (frequent)

Special Requirements

- U.S. citizenship, U.S. permanent residency (Green Card) as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), is required.
- Must be able to travel domestically within the continental United States and internationally, as required.

Clearance Level
No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:
$66,500 - $101,500

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 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