Lead Systems Engineer

AV is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lead Systems Engineer to join our Space RF Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) Team. Our exciting programs will revolutionize how we connect with satellite assets, enabling faster and more secure data transmission. You will be a key member of a team performing and leading traditional systems engineering tasks for multiple projects as well as supporting the continuous improvement of our formal SE capabilities.

You will interface and coordinate with multiple external and internal organizations, including stakeholders and other engineering disciplines. You may be asked to lead special projects within the SEIT or Engineering organization.

• Working with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, and RF team to understand, develop, and document customer needs and system requirements.
• Working in collaboration with RF engineers to derive and allocate subsystem requirements.
• Supporting system test planning, verification, and validation efforts.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, specifications, and interface documents, including the use of standard tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio.
• Participating in formal company and customer technical reviews.
• Supporting other engineering disciplines as needed in problem solving, risk management, and impact analysis.
• Providing full life cycle support for changes to product baselines for specific customers.
• Leading other Systems Engineers in the execution of project SE tasks.

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of traditional systems engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of standard systems engineering lifecycle processes, requirements management, and verification methodologies.

• Degree in Systems Engineering.
• Familiarity with RF communication systems, satellite architecture, or aerospace.
• Working knowledge of the systems engineering processes as described in the INCOSE SE Handbook and/or ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023.
• Experience with CAMEO or other Model Based Systems Engineering tools and techniques.

Ability to work in an office and production 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).

Top Secret

The salary range for this role is: $111,500 - $170,000

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.

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 Aero Vironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with Aero Vironment'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.

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 Mac Cready, 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…