Job Description

Worker Type

Regular

AV has an opportunity for a highly skilled Engineer to join a small multi-disciplined team supporting research and development activities for the Air Force Research Laboratory. Candidate will apply engineering expertise and innovative problem solving to develop Electro-Optical (EO) solutions that enable critical laboratory and field testing in support of the USAF and USSF.

Primary responsibilities for this role will include:

• Maintain and operate optical characterization laboratory
• Establish state-of-the-art techniques for advanced laser and optical measurements
• Perform critical optical and laser alignment including large aperture collimation
• Develop rugged and practical EO solutions for field test infrastructure
• Support test activities through planning, documentation, execution, and post-test analysis
• Participation in Air Force test and training activities (some travel may be required)

Requirements:

• B.S. or higher in Engineering, Masters in EO Engineering preferred
• 0-3+ years of hands-on experience with optics, lasers, and/or other EO systems
• Practical understanding of optics, lasers, and imagers including the hardware and techniques used for measurement and characterization across the optical wavelength spectrum
• Ability to apply EO academics to real-world problems
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Self-directed worker willing to adapt to unique challenges and take ownership of projects
• Strong attention to detail with careful and diligent work ethic resulting in high-quality results
• Due to security requirements, U.S. citizenship is required, and the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance or higher

Preferences:

• Laboratory and/or field test experience
• Understanding of engineering techniques across other disciplines
• Applied understanding of interferometry techniques and systems to characterize optical alignment and collimation of large aperture systems
• Current security clearance

Clearance Level

Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$88,500 - $125,475

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:

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

U.S. Citizenship required