$154,500 – $247,250
Listed on AeroVironment’s own careers site. You apply with them directly — we never stand between you and the employer.
What this role is
AeroVironment seeks a Principal Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering teams on unmanned defense systems, responsible for requirements management, MBSE modeling, and cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines. This role suits deeply experienced systems engineers from defense or aerospace who want to mentor junior staff and influence product architecture across multiple programs.
Our summary, not AeroVironment’s wording. The full posting is on their site.
Skills this role names
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What they ask for
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 15+ years architecting and supporting complex systems in defense or aerospace
- MBSE proficiency with SysML v1.x and Cameo tools
- Requirements management tool experience, preferably Jama
- Experience developing systems engineering artifacts including specifications, ICDs, CONOPS, and trade studies
- Ability to plan and execute verification and validation activities
- Experience presenting at technical reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR
- Demonstrated work in multidisciplinary engineering environments
- Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. DoD Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required for ITAR compliance
Nice to have
- Master's degree in Systems Engineering or related field from ABET-accredited institution
- Current active U.S. DoD Secret clearance or higher
- UAV/UAS or weaponized unmanned systems experience
- DoD acquisition processes and Government Reference Architectures knowledge
- SysML v2 or AI-assisted architecture modeling experience
- Familiarity with MBSE methodologies including UAF and OOSEM
- MOSA implementation experience
- CONOPS, mission threads, and detailed use case development
- Program-level risk management experience
- Technical knowledge in software, RF systems, networking, EO/IR optics, GNC, E3, cybersecurity, reliability engineering, system safety, or weapon system safety