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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Chief Engineer, Systems - **Company:** AeroVironment, Inc. - **Location:** Lawrence, KS, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $154,500.0 - $247,250.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Signals Intelligence, System Configuration, Network Interface Controllers, GPS Navigation Devices, Integrated Development Environments, Software Tools, Requirements Management, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Architecture, M-code - **Published:** August 9, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ae5ac71fdceebaa9 ## About the Role * Bachelor's Degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) field. * 15 years of experience in an engineering design or development environment * 3 years of project management experience. (PMP or CAPM certification a plus.) * Experience with integrating new capabilities onto platforms, requiring flow-down of requirements to lower-level systems. * Experience project planning in terms of schedule, budget, and resource estimations., * Master's Degree in a Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering discipline (or equivalent) * Direct experience with design or development in the Aerospace or Defense industries (UAVs or Military aviation preferred) * Proven success collaborating with Engineering disciplines (Electrical, Software, Mechanical, and System Engineers) to define system architecture and integration details. * Possesses an interest in creating Architectures using Model Based Engineering tools * Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to resolve technical issues efficiently and independently, utilizing subject matter experts when needed. * Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics, parts lists, specifications, instructions, and test procedures * Ability to effectively communicate with and present to various levels internal to the organization and externally to customers and suppliers. * Is a proven leader who has demonstrated people development skills * Direct technical expertise in any of the following areas: + Avionics, sensors, and RF-based data links. + Radio frequency spectrum and modern communication systems. + SIGINT technologies and sensors, including EO/IR optics. + GPS navigation systems including DGPS, SAASM and M-Code. + Aviation propulsion systems, including internal combustion and electric motors. + OCONUS military operations. Physical Demands * Ability to walk around the facility on a regular basis to facilitate communication, coordinate tasks and resolve issues. * Travel required to domestic US sites - up to 25%. * Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant) * Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent), 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 must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR 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 ยง 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract, U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance. ## Description The Chief Engineer, Systems you will act as a technical liaison between the Engineering, Program Management, Operations, and Supply Chain departments to ensure our solutions to customer requirements are optimized, technically feasible, and achievable in terms of cost and schedule. In this role, you will oversee a portfolio of engineering projects and work with a talented group of engineers to drive those projects to completion. This role will operate as part of the design and development team led by our Director of Engineering., * Evaluates customer-provided requirements and identifies platform impacts, cost, schedule, and technical performance risks and communicates those to key stakeholders. * Contributes to the development of new product requirements through consultations with Program Managers and end customers. * Assists in the review and analysis of proposals, specifications, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs). * Assists in defining system requirements and in the generation of specifications for products or sub-systems. * Provide critical input to the preparation of successful proposal designs, cost estimates, and technical responses with regards to resources (personnel, equipment, etc.). * Ensures that integration efforts will satisfy all performance requirements, achieve delivery schedule, stay within budget, and meet cost targets. * Reviews Engineering Change Proposals (ECP), Requests for Deviation (RFD), and maintains system configuration baselines. * Mentors and guides engineering personnel to improve technical and leadership skills * Works with applicable Program Manager and customer leads to facilitate the resolution of technical issues. * Creates necessary documentation, such as requirements documentation, high-level design specifications and test plans. * Develops and present materials for project related briefings including design reviews to be given to internal and external customers. * Acts as a resource for the development and review of specifications, CDRL's and ICD's. * Partners with senior leadership, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and other groups in setting priorities, establishing strategic plans, and addressing issues that cross departmental boundaries. * Exercises wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments. ## Related Videos - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [ Secure Code Superstars: Empowering Developers and Surpassing Security Challenges Together](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/422-secure-code-superstars-empowering-developers-and-surpassing-security-challenges-together) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) - [Old tools, new tricks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1916-old-tools-new-tricks) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) ## Related Articles - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)