Lead Systems Engineer

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Position Summary

The Lead Systems Engineer is responsible for leading requirements management, architecture definition, interface control, and verification planning for complex, multi-disciplinary systems. They 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.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Technical Leadership & Coordination

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Serve as the technical lead across cross-functional teams (e.g., electrical, mechanical, software, RF, test, manufacturing, quality).

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Lead customer and technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.), ensuring design maturity and risk mitigation.

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Provide technical guidance to systems engineers and contributing engineers and review technical work products for quality, completeness, and alignment with system requirements.

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Act as the primary technical point of contact for internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.

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Represent technical status and risk to internal leadership/stakeholders during reviews such as PMRs.

Requirements & Configuration Management

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Lead requirements capture, analysis, allocation, and traceability using appropriate tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, etc.).

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Manage configuration baselines and ensure changes are controlled, documented, and communicated.

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Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and customer specifications.

Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V)

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Define system integration strategy and test approach across lab, field, and production environments.

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Develop and/or oversee test plans, procedures, and reports for system-level verification and validation.

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Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for integration and test issues, collaborating with design teams.

Risk, Quality & Lifecycle Management

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Identify technical risks and opportunities; develop and maintain mitigation/contingency plans.

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Support reliability, safety, and FMEA/FMECA analyses as required.

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Contribute to lifecycle planning, including production transition, sustainment, and end-of-life strategies.

Project Support & Communication

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Work closely with Program/Project Management to align technical scope, schedule, and budget.

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Provide technical input to proposals, estimates, and customer presentations.

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Prepare and deliver clear technical documentation, design reports, and briefings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Mentoring & Process Improvement

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Mentor junior engineers in systems engineering principles, tools, and best practices.

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Champion and help refine systems engineering processes, methods, and tools to improve efficiency and product quality.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

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Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

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Typically 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, including significant systems engineering responsibility.

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2+ years in a technical lead, team lead, or equivalent role preferred.

Technical Skills

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Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle (concept, requirements, design, integration, verification, validation, deployment, sustainment).

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Demonstrated experience integrating hardware and software subsystems into a cohesive solution.

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Proficiency in system-level analysis (e.g., performance budgets, interface control, trade studies).

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Familiarity with configuration management and version control practices.

Soft Skills

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Proven leadership and mentoring abilities in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment.

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Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to simplify complex technical topics.

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Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule and resource constraints.

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Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications (Customize as Needed)

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Experience with requirements management and systems modeling tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, Cameo/MagicDraw, Enterprise Architect).

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Experience in aerospace/defense, unmanned systems, or large technical multidiscipline program of comparable complexity.

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Experience with safety-critical or mission-critical systems.

Physical & Other Requirements

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Occasional travel to customer, supplier, or test sites.

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Robotics & Autonomy Solutions (RAS)

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Typically 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, with demonstrated experience leading complex systems engineering activities, multidisciplinary technical teams, or major system/subsystem efforts. Candidates with 10–15 years of relevant experience are strongly preferred. e for large subsystem.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:
$128,000 - $195,250

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: