Principal Architecture Engineer

AeroVironment • Huntsville, AL

1d

About The Position

AV is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Architecture Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for defining and evaluating Missile Defense System (MDS) trade capability, architectural performance metrics, and other critical high-level performance metrics as they relate to missile defense. Key Responsibilities: Provide Expertise: Offer technical guidance on missile defense activities, including adversary capabilities, systems engineering, and evaluation. Stay informed of intelligence updates regarding new threat systems impacting future missile defense architectures. Evaluate MDS Adequacy: Assess the current Missile Defense Systems (MDS) to determine their effectiveness against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. Recommend strategies for system improvements, concept of operations, and alternative solutions for cost-effective and technologically advanced systems. Allied Systems Integration: Analyze the defense capabilities of Allied Missile Defense Systems and identify ways to incorporate them into U.S. systems to strengthen overall defense capabilities. Consulting & Strategic Guidance: Provide consulting services to internal and external stakeholders, including Services and Combatant Commanders. Offer strategic advice and direction on MDS development efforts. Collaboration with Experts: Engage with FFRDCs, UARCs, and OGAs to support technical improvements and program process enhancements. Support Architecture Evolution: Contribute to the development of the Defense Architecture strategy by assessing interim and final results of Analysis of Alternatives and other analytical activities. Analysis & Feasibility: Assist in conducting analysis, demonstrations, and tests to assess feasibility and verify that architecture analysis assumptions are credible. Required Qualifications: Education: Master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field. Experience: Minimum of 12 years in missile defense or other complex, large DoD programs/projects. Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance. Technical Expertise: Proven missile defense experience with the ability to accomplish duties independently. Desired Qualifications: Hypersonic Weapons Knowledge: Understanding of hypersonic weapons' capabilities and limitations. Software Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint. MDS Knowledge: Familiarity with MDS components, architectures, and concepts. MDA Experience: Experience with MDA or other complex MDS Elements is a plus. Military Background: Previous military experience, preferably as a Navy veteran in roles like Aegis Weapon System EDO or Joint Interface Control Officer, or as an Army/Air Force veteran with knowledge of MDS elements such as THAAD, LTAMDS, Sentinel, PATRIOT, or GMD. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the forefront of missile defense technology, with a strong focus on technical expertise, innovation, and strategic development within the defense sector. Clearance Level Secret ITAR Requirement: 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 § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. 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. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed. What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR U.S. Citizenship required About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. Careers at AeroVironment

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field.
• Experience: Minimum of 12 years in missile defense or other complex, large DoD programs/projects.
• Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance.
• Technical Expertise: Proven missile defense experience with the ability to accomplish duties independently.
• ITAR Requirement: 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.
• 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 § 120.15.
• Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Hypersonic Weapons Knowledge: Understanding of hypersonic weapons' capabilities and limitations.
• Software Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint.
• MDS Knowledge: Familiarity with MDS components, architectures, and concepts.
• MDA Experience: Experience with MDA or other complex MDS Elements is a plus.
• Military Background: Previous military experience, preferably as a Navy veteran in roles like Aegis Weapon System EDO or Joint Interface Control Officer, or as an Army/Air Force veteran with knowledge of MDS elements such as THAAD, LTAMDS, Sentinel, PATRIOT, or GMD.

Responsibilities

• Provide Expertise: Offer technical guidance on missile defense activities, including adversary capabilities, systems engineering, and evaluation.
• Stay informed of intelligence updates regarding new threat systems impacting future missile defense architectures.
• Evaluate MDS Adequacy: Assess the current Missile Defense Systems (MDS) to determine their effectiveness against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats.
• Recommend strategies for system improvements, concept of operations, and alternative solutions for cost-effective and technologically advanced systems.
• Allied Systems Integration: Analyze the defense capabilities of Allied Missile Defense Systems and identify ways to incorporate them into U.S. systems to strengthen overall defense capabilities.
• Consulting & Strategic Guidance: Provide consulting services to internal and external stakeholders, including Services and Combatant Commanders.
• Offer strategic advice and direction on MDS development efforts.
• Collaboration with Experts: Engage with FFRDCs, UARCs, and OGAs to support technical improvements and program process enhancements.
• Support Architecture Evolution: Contribute to the development of the Defense Architecture strategy by assessing interim and final results of Analysis of Alternatives and other analytical activities.
• Analysis & Feasibility: Assist in conducting analysis, demonstrations, and tests to assess feasibility and verify that architecture analysis assumptions are credible.

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.

What This Job Offers

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