Lead Hardware-in--Loop Engineer

• HWIL Architecture & System Design
  • Define HWIL system architecture for NGCM baseline and future variants
  • Draft hardware and software requirements for HWIL drawers and subsystems
  • Develop Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Functional Block Diagrams (FBDs), Wiring Diagrams (WDs), and Test Procedures
  • Ensure configuration control of all HWIL technical data packages (TDPs)
• Integration & Test
  • Design, build, test, and deploy complete HWIL systems
  • Lead integration of avionics, GEU, seeker, CAS, and propulsion interfaces into HWIL environment
  • Support TRR, ATP, and QTP events
  • Develop validation and verification (V&V) strategies for GNC algorithms
• Program & Technical Leadership
  • Lead and manage HWIL engineering team (electrical, software, integration)
  • Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) for new scope and IRAD efforts
  • Support Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning and execution
  • Coordinate staffing and resource planning for HWIL activities
• Customer & Capture Support
  • Interface with Army, RCCTO, and industry partners
  • Support OTA proposals and technical white papers
  • Provide technical inputs for future NGCM derivative capture efforts
  • Travel to partner sites for HWIL deployment and integration support

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Master's preferred)
• 8+ years experience in electrical hardware design and avionics integration
• Direct experience designing, building, and deploying HWIL systems
• Experience leading small engineering teams
• Background in missile or hypersonic systems preferred
• Experience with:
  Avionics hardware lifecycle management, Configuration Management (ECO, DCO, NCR, MRB, ERB processes), Environmental qualification testing (ATP/QTP), OTA proposals and technical capture efforts
• Strong working knowledge of:
  Controls systems and GNC integration, Electrical system design & hardware integration, Technical data package development

• Experience developing HWIL systems for missile flight hardware
• Familiarity with trajectory analysis, radar modeling, or MATLAB-based analysis tools
• Prior hiring manager or section lead experience

• 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:

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 purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

The salary range for this role is: $137,500 - $209,750

Clearance Level Secret

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.

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