Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV is looking for a highly talented Senior Systems Engineer for Threat Discrimination to support the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Advanced Capabilities Office (MDA/AC). In this role you will provide systems technical analysis expertise to develop new Missile Defense System capabilities for the identification of lethal objects.
Job Description:
Work within a multi-discipline, multi-source/industry team
Provide technical analysis, management, and general scientific support to MDA's Counter- Countermeasures and Discrimination Directorate
Develop and formulate options for improving the Missile Defense System's discrimination and electronic protection capabilities
Required:
Master's Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
12+ years of related professional experience
Minimum: Active DoD Secret clearance
Ability to quickly qualify for an Active Top Secret/SCI clearance if you do not possess one
Expertise in radar signal processing, scheduling, object classification and electronic protection
Experience in systems engineering analysis and process management to include development and review of engineering requirements, concepts of operations, and integrated schedules
Experience in conducting technical performance assessments and resulting risk analysis and mitigation development
Experience in electronic attack/protection modeling development to support analysis and requirements development
Experience in developing technology maturation plans to transfer potential technologies to program offices
Desired:
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
Knowledge of MDA systems engineering processes
Program management certification (DAU, PMP, etc.)
Knowledge of Missile Defense fundamentals to include radar limitations
Knowledge of electro-optic fundamentals
Knowledge of radar hardware and design
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
- Master's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field
- 12 or more years of related professional experience
- Active Department of Defense Secret clearance
- Ability to quickly qualify for an active Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Expertise in radar signal processing, scheduling, object classification, and electronic protection
- Experience with systems engineering analysis and process management, including engineering requirements, concepts of operations, and integrated schedules
- Experience conducting technical performance assessments and developing risk analysis and mitigation plans
- Experience developing electronic attack and protection models for analysis and requirements development
- Experience developing technology maturation plans for technology transfer to program offices
- U.S. person status for ITAR/EAR compliance
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Knowledge of MDA systems engineering processes
- Program management certification such as DAU or PMP
- Knowledge of missile defense fundamentals and radar limitations
- Knowledge of electro-optic fundamentals
- Knowledge of radar hardware and design
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.
