Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV is looking for a highly talented Lead Systems Engineer to join our team! In this role you will provide coordinated communications integration support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Chief Engineer and United Arab Emirates (UAE) THAAD Engineering Lead.
Job Description:
Provide systems and interoperability engineering, analysis, and technical guidance regarding the THAAD weapon system with international partners.
Assist Engineering Lead with managing the technical aspects of all assigned force design work
Assisting with international Tactical Data Link Architecture, attending data link conferences
Collaborate and coordinate on force design technical efforts with multiple external agencies and stakeholders
·Identify deficiencies and shortcomings in planned or ongoing design reviews and provide options for fixing them
Document and communicate interim and final technical findings and results in a clear manner that is understandable to senior-level decision makers
Actively participate in regular and ad hoc force design meetings and technical exchanges
Required:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or an equivalent technical/scientific discipline specifically related to area of specialty and an Advanced degree may be preferred at this level
10+ years of professional experience
Active Secret clearance
Technical understanding and experience with THAAD
Experience with DoD terrestrial and satellite communication systems (MILSATCOM)
Develop and present reports and presentations to senior management-level personnel; exceptional written and verbal skills required
Works independently and/or leads teams to analyze and resolve problems
Familiarity with Missile Defense Agency, Ballistic Missile Defense System, and/or THAAD Program Office work efforts
Proficiency in system engineering and execution processes
Desired:
Master's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
12+ years working on missile defense-related or other complex, large DoD program/project
Tactical data links (TDL J, Link 11, Link 16) systems, encryption systems, precision timing systems (PNT), and DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF)
Military experience with Air Defense Artillery, Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Common Data Link Interface-Module (CDLI-M)
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
Work within a collaborative environment composed of Government, prime contractor, sub-contractor and supporting contractor personnel in a badge-less contractor environment
Self-starter with enthusiasm and capacity to learn in a fast-paced environment
Prior experience within Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs
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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their 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.
Who We Are
Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.
Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.
What We Do
Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.
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
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or an equivalent technical or scientific discipline related to the specialty
- 10 or more years of professional experience
- Active Secret security clearance
- Technical understanding and experience with the THAAD weapon system
- Experience with Department of Defense terrestrial and satellite communication systems, including MILSATCOM
- Ability to develop and present reports and presentations to senior management-level personnel
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently or lead teams to analyze and resolve problems
- Familiarity with the Missile Defense Agency, Ballistic Missile Defense System, or THAAD Program Office
- Proficiency in systems engineering and execution processes
- U.S. person status as defined under ITAR and EAR regulations; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship
- Master's degree in a STEM field
- 12 or more years of experience on missile defense or other complex, large Department of Defense programs or projects
- Experience with tactical data links, encryption systems, precision timing systems, and DoD Risk Management Framework
- Military experience with Air Defense Artillery, THAAD, or CDLI-M
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
- Experience working in collaborative government and contractor environments
- Prior experience with Foreign Military Sales programs
AeroVironment Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AeroVironment and has not been reviewed or approved by AeroVironment.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits include multiple medical plan options with HSA pairing and employer contributions, plus company-paid life and disability coverage. Feedback suggests health coverage quality and breadth are consistently seen as strong.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with generous matching and immediate vesting, alongside programs like an ESPP and deferred compensation for eligible employees, signals robust retirement support. Feedback suggests the retirement offering stands out within the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Discretionary Time Off for eligible salaried employees, paid sick leave, parental leave supplements, holidays, and a 9/80 schedule provide broad time-off flexibility. Feedback suggests these options enhance work-life balance when team norms support their use.
AeroVironment Insights
What We Do
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements. Now stronger than ever, we deliver integrated capabilities across every domain of modern warfare—from autonomous systems and loitering munitions to space-based platforms, directed energy, cyber and electronic warfare. We build to win today’s battles and shape tomorrow’s conflicts.
