Senior Systems Engineer

AV is seeking skilled Systems Engineers to support the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced electromechanical, opto-mechanical, and RF systems across our diverse portfolio of defense solutions. In this role, you will be a key technical contributor on programs spanning ground, air, and space domains –working at the intersection of multiple engineering disciplines to ensure system-level success.

As a Systems Engineer, you will lead requirements management, architecture definition, interface control, and verification planning for complex, multi-disciplinary systems. You will collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and test teams to integrate subsystems into mission-capable solutions, manage technical risks, and ensure our systems meet customer performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies supporting critical national security missions, with exposure to multiple domains and program phases. You will contribute to AV’s reputation for innovation and technical excellence while developing your systems engineering expertise in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Ideal candidates bring a strong foundation in systems engineering principles, hands-on experience with end-to-end system development and hardware-software integration, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional team setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, decompose, and manage system and subsystem requirements from customer needs through verification and validation

• Establish and maintain bidirectional traceability between requirements, design elements, and verification methods using requirements management tools

• Define and document system and subsystem interfaces (mechanical, electrical, optical, RF, data) through Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

• Develop system architectures, functional flows, and physical decompositions for electromechanical, opto-mechanical, and RF systems

• Conduct trade studies and technical analyses to support design decisions and optimize system performance against cost, schedule, and performance constraints

• Create verification matrices and test plans that map requirements to appropriate verification methods (test, analysis, inspection, demonstration)

• Develop integration strategies and support integration activities for multi-disciplinary systems across subsystems and suppliers

• Support system-level testing, verification events, and validation activities to ensure requirements are met

• Collaborate daily with mechanical, electrical, software, optical, and RF engineers to resolve technical issues and ensure system-level integration

• Identify, assess, and track technical risks; develop mitigation plans in collaboration with engineering teams

• Prepare technical specifications, reports, design documentation, and presentations for internal teams and customers

• Participate in technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and design reviews as systems engineering representative

• Assess impact of requirements changes and support change control processes to maintain technical and programmatic integrity

• Support customer technical meetings, reviews, and demonstrations with clear technical communication

• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, templates, and best practices

• U.S. Citizenship is required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Computer, Systems), Physics, or related discipline.

• 5+ years of systems engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or related industry

• Demonstrated experience with requirements management, including elicitation, decomposition, traceability, and verification planning

• Hands-on experience with end-to-end development, integration and test activities for complex hardware-software systems

• Proficiency with requirements management tools.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering processes and standards across the system development lifecycle

• Experience defining and managing technical interfaces between subsystems, disciplines, or organizations

• Excellent technical writing and communication skills with ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and matrix organizations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in related engineering or technical discipline.

• Experience with electromechanical, opto-mechanical, or RF system development and integration

• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methods.

• Experience with environmental testing (TVAC, shock, vibration, EMI/EMC) and corresponding test standards

• Hands-on experience leading technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) or serving as systems lead on programs

• Knowledge of defense acquisition processes and DoD milestone review frameworks

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 MacCready, 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., 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 MacCready, 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.

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