Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV is looking for a highly talented Senior Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Program Office delivering critical capabilities for the Defense of Guam (DoG). This role supports a priority national defense effort in a dynamic environment, ensuring effective integration of missile defense elements to protect a key strategic location. The candidate will provide senior-level systems engineering support, guiding technical efforts across multiple domains and ensuring alignment with MDA objectives.
Job Description:
Perform integrated analysis and evaluation of DoG test events including Flight Tests, Ground Tests, and System Integration Check Out (SICO) activities
Participate in and support engineering milestones such as Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and technical assessments
Collaborate with stakeholders across MDA and supporting organizations to coordinate schedules, resolve issues, and ensure technical accuracy
Provide input on secure system design considerations, risk identification, and mitigation strategies
Lead or support technical interchange meetings (TIMs), action tracking, and meeting coordination
Develop executive-level briefings, technical papers, and correspondence for senior leaders, including Flag Officers and SES personnel
Coordinate GENser and SAP-level meetings and VTCs as needed
Represent the Government customer in IPTs, working groups, and forums
Apply engineering tools such as DOORS, Windchill, and Qlik for analysis and coordination
Support efforts related to system security, including compliance tracking or integration of cybersecurity inputs into engineering processes
Required:
12+ years of relevant systems engineering or technical experience for missile defense related programs
Master's Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
Active Secret clearance
Strong understanding of MDA systems engineering processes and procedures
Demonstrate understanding of system architecture and system
Experience with MDA system elements (e.g., Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, C2BMC)
Familiarity with secure development practices, configuration management, and cybersecurity-informed engineering
Knowledge of the Electronic Task Management System 2 (ETMS-2) system and experience managing Congressional or routine taskers
Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively across diverse technical teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project)
· Skilled in developing and delivering technical briefings to senior decision-makers
Desired:
Background that includes exposure to secure system development and cybersecurity-informed engineering practices
Bachelor's degree in STEM in addition to Master's degree in STEM
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
- 12+ years of relevant systems engineering or technical experience on missile defense-related programs
- Master's degree in a STEM field
- Active Secret security clearance
- Strong understanding of Missile Defense Agency systems engineering processes and procedures
- Understanding of system architecture and systems engineering
- Experience with MDA system elements such as Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, or C2BMC
- Familiarity with secure development, configuration management, and cybersecurity-informed engineering
- Knowledge of Electronic Task Management System 2 and experience managing Congressional or routine taskers
- Ability to work independently and communicate across diverse technical teams
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project
- Ability to develop and deliver technical briefings to senior decision-makers
- Bachelor's degree in STEM in addition to a master's degree
- Exposure to secure system development and cybersecurity-informed engineering practices
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.









