AV · 3 months ago
Chief Engineer, Systems
Simi Valley, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$176K/yr - $249K/yr
15+ years expAeroVironment (AV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems. The Chief Engineer, Systems will act as a technical liaison across various departments, overseeing engineering projects and ensuring solutions meet customer requirements while being technically feasible and cost-effective.
AerospaceAir TransportationDronesElectric VehicleElectronicsEnergyGovernmentManufacturing
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
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
U.S. Citizenship is required
Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired
Preferred
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
Benefits
Medical
Dental vision
401K with company matching
A 9/80 work schedule
A paid holiday shutdown
Company
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.68B2025-07-01Post Ipo Equity· $875M
2025-07-01Post Ipo Debt· $650M
2023-09-19Post Ipo Equity· $109.01M
Leadership Team
Wahid Nawabi
Chairman, President & CEO
Johnathan Jones
Senior Vice President
Recent News
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