Chief Architect - Digital Phased Array Systems

AeroVironment • Albuquerque, NM

1d

About The Position

The Chief Architect serves as the senior-most technical authority for architecture, mission integration, and future capability definition across the Space RF product lines. This role is responsible for shaping long-term technical strategy, influencing business direction, and ensuring alignment between customer needs, product investments, and enterprise architecture. Operating in close partnership with the Business Unit (BU) Lead, Product Line Manager(s), and Product Line Chief Engineer(s), the Chief Architect plays a critical role in defining and winning the future - leading technical vision across proposal efforts, customer engagements, and business case development. This role requires deep expertise in the design, build, integration, and deployment of large-scale digital phased array systems across multiple mission applications (e.g. radar, EW, communications), along with the ability to translate customer problems into scalable differentiated architectural solutions. The Chief Architect is both externally engaged and internally influential - bridging customer environments, emerging mission needs, and internal product strategy to drive growth and technical excellence across the Space RF BU.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field
• 12+ years' of engineering experience, with significant focus on digital phased array systems and RF technologies
• Demonstrated experience in the design, build, integration, and deployment of large-scale phased array systems
• Strong background in system architecture development and trade space analysis
• Proven experience supporting or leading proposal efforts, captures, and technical solution development
• Experience developing business cases or supporting product/technology investment decisions
• Deep understanding of customer operational environments across one or more phased array applications (e.g. radar, EW, communications)
• Ability to influence senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret US DoD Security Clearance

Nice To Haves

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) in phased array and multifunction digital phased array architectures and RF system design
• Experience across multiple phased array mission domains (e.g. ISR, radar, EW, SATCOM, tactical comms)
• Experience defining or implementing modular opens systems approach (MOSA) architectures
• Familiarity with MBSE and digital engineering environments
• Prior experience in a Chief Architect, Technical Director, or equivalent senior technical leadership role
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes and customer ecosystems
• Experience influencing product strategy and long-term technology roadmaps
• Active Secret or Top Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

• Technical Strategy & Architecture o Serve as the lead architect for the Space RF product lines, defining end-to-end system architectures across multiple phased array applications
• Establish and evolve reference architectures, ensuring scalability, modularity, and alignment with enterprise and BU strategy
• Drive architectural trade studies and design decisions spanning RF, digital, software, FPGA, mechanical, and system integration domains
• Ensure alignment between product line architectures and mission-level CONOPS and customer environments
• Business Unit Partnership & Strategy o Act as the primary technical partner to the BU lead, helping shape overall BU strategy, growth priorities, and investment decisions
• Translate market trends, customer gaps, and mission needs into actionable product and technology strategies
• Support definition and prioritization of IRAD investments aligned to future opportunities and differentiated capabilities
• Contribute to business case development, including technical feasibility, cost considerations, and competitive positioning
• Customer & Proposal Leadership o Lead technical engagement with customers, developing deep understanding of operational environments and mission challenges
• Serve as a key technical contributor on captures and proposals, including solution architecture, technical volumes, and customer presentations
• Shape and influence customer requirements and concepts of operation (CONOPS) to align with product capabilities
• Represent the organization as a trusted technical authority with customers, partners, and stakeholders
• System Development & Deployment Expertise o Provide oversight and guidance on the build, integration/test, calibration, and deployment of large-scale digital phased array (DPA) systems
• Ensure architectural decisions account for real-world deployment constraints, including platform integration, environmental factors, and operational use
• Drive system-level optimization across performance, cost, size/weight/power (SWaP), and scalability
• Cross-Functional Leadership o Partner closely with the Product Line Chief Engineer(s) (PLCE) to ensure alignment between architecture vision and product execution
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure cohesive system design and integration
• Mentor senior technical staff and cultivate architectural thinking across the organization
• Promote adoption of modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and reusable design patterns

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level