Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
AV Directed Energy Systems is a defense technology innovator specializing in advanced high-energy laser and directed energy weapon systems for counter-UAS, force protection, and tactical engagement missions. We serve U.S. and allied military customers with high-reliability solutions that perform in mission-critical environments. Our growth requires disciplined leadership that balances technical excellence with operational maturity.
We are hiring a Director of Engineering to lead our growing multidisciplinary engineering team. This position blends strong people and organizational leadership (60%) with technical oversight and strategic input (40%), supporting complex defense programs and driving a culture of excellence. You will manage engineering staff, define and enforce policies and procedures, and ensure successful execution of Directed Energy-based product development and delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
Personnel & Organizational Leadership
• Lead and manage a team of 30+ engineers across systems, software, optical, mechanical, power, and control disciplines, including functional managers.
• Develop, implement, and maintain engineering policies, procedures, and standards to ensure repeatability, traceability, and compliance.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and HR to manage staffing plans, hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, career development, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, technical curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee resource allocation, workload balancing, and organizational structure to meet program and business needs.
• Lead internal reviews and support external audits, ensuring engineering compliance with ITAR, DoD cybersecurity, and quality standards (ISO, AS9100).
• Promote cross-functional collaboration with Program Management, Operations, and Business Development.
Technical Oversight & Strategy
• Provide high-level guidance on Directed Energy system architecture, laser subsystem integration, and power/thermal management, especially during proposal and concept phases.
• Participate in technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), design decisions, and risk assessments to ensure design integrity and alignment with requirements.
• Serve as a technical advisor for complex engineering challenges, trade studies, and roadmap planning.
• Drive adoption of formal systems engineering practices, model-based design, and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Ensure all development activities meet program milestones, cost targets, and quality objectives.
Required Qualifications
• U.S. Citizenship and active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline; M.S. or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of engineering experience with at least 5 years in management roles within the defense or aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary teams developing complex hardware/software systems.
• Strong understanding of engineering lifecycle management, technical reviews, and process compliance in a defense environment.
• Ability to balance operational priorities with long-term technical vision.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with high-energy laser systems, beam control, power electronics, thermal management, or optical subsystems.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, DO-254, or similar defense compliance frameworks.
• Knowledge of engineering tools and environments such as MATLAB, Zemax, SolidWorks, and Agile development methods.
• Experience working with classified development or secure program environments.
Clearance Level
The salary range for this role is:
$148,000 - $217,875AeroVironment 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:
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.
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.
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
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