Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV is looking for a highly talented Model-Based Systems Engineer (MBSE) to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures (MDA/DTTC) program office. In this role, you will apply systems engineering principles within a digital engineering framework to create, analyze, and maintain system architecture models. You will collaborate with government leads, prime contractors, and cross-functional engineering teams to trace requirements, model behavioral and structural architectures, and support technical baseline reviews.
System Modeling & Architecture: Develop and maintain descriptive system models using SysML to capture system behaviors, structure, interfaces, and operational requirements across MDA programs.
Requirements Traceability: Map system-level and component-level requirements directly to architecture artifacts, ensuring end-to-end traceability, verification matrices, and baseline integrity.
Digital Engineering Integration: Support the implementation of MDA Digital Engineering initiatives by linking MBSE models with external tools, simulations, and data repositories.
Technical Baseline Reviews: Assist in preparing and presenting model-centric artifacts for major program milestone reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, CCBs).
Interface & Trade Studies: Conduct architectural trade studies, analyze interface definition documents (IDDs/ICDs), and model system interfaces to identify gaps and resolve integration risks.
Configuration & Data Management: Maintain version control and configuration baseline compliance for SysML models in accordance with program data management standards.
Required:
BA/BS Degree.
7+ years supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs.
Active DoD Secret Clearance
Demonstrated proficiency with SysML (Systems Modeling Language) and core systems engineering frameworks (DoDAF, UAF).
Hands-on experience with industry-standard MBSE modeling tools (e.g., Cameo Systems Modeler / Cameo Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw, Sparx Enterprise Architect).
Communication: Ability to distill complex system architectures into clear, concise diagrams, technical documentation, and briefings for multidisciplinary stakeholders.
Desired:
Preferred Bachelor's Degree in: Systems Engineer; Computer Science; Software Engineering; Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
Experience supporting MDA programs (e.g., Targets and Countermeasures, Ground-Based Midcourse Defense, THAAD, Aegis BMD, or C2BMC).
OMG-Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP) certification (Fundamental, Intermediate, or Advanced).
Working knowledge of requirement management tools (e.g., DOORS, Cameo Requirements Plugin) and issue-tracking platforms (Jira, Confluence).
Experience integrating MBSE models with analytical/simulation environments (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or OpenMBEE).
Familiarity with DoD Systems Engineering processes, CDRLs, and technical baseline governance.
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
- 7+ years supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex Department of Defense programs
- Active Department of Defense Secret clearance
- Proficiency with SysML and systems engineering frameworks including DoDAF and UAF
- Hands-on experience with MBSE modeling tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, Cameo Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw, or Sparx Enterprise Architect
- Ability to communicate complex system architectures through diagrams, technical documentation, and briefings
- Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, computer science, software engineering, or another STEM field
- Experience supporting Missile Defense Agency programs
- OMG-Certified Systems Modeling Professional certification
- Experience with requirements management tools such as DOORS or Cameo Requirements Plugin and issue-tracking platforms such as Jira or Confluence
- Experience integrating MBSE models with analytical or simulation environments such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or OpenMBEE
- Familiarity with Department of Defense systems engineering processes, CDRLs, and technical baseline governance
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.








