Lead C-UAS Systems Integration & Operational Analysis Engineer

Worker Type Regular Job Description Lead C-UAS Systems Integration & Operational Analysis Engineer Next Generation Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Missile Program Location: Huntsville, Alabama Work Arrangement: Primarily on-site, with travel to test ranges and operational locations Clearance: Active Secret security clearance preferred; ability to obtain and maintain a clearance required Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required Position Overview We are seeking an experienced C-UAS Systems Integration and Operational Analysis Engineer to support the development, integration, testing, and fielding of a next-generation C-UAS missile system. This position will lead integration of the missile into command-and-control systems and the broader C-UAS architecture. The engineer will support system testing, evaluate operational performance, and translate test and theater data into actionable recommendations for system improvement and warfighter employment. The successful candidate will work across interceptor, launcher, command-and-control, radar, sensor, and communications interfaces to ensure the weapon system performs effectively as part of an end-to-end kill chain. This role requires a combination of systems engineering, quantitative analysis, test support, operational analysis, and customer-facing technical communication. Key Responsibilities · Lead integration of the Next Generation C-UAS Missile into command-and-control and battle-management systems. · Support end-to-end integration across the interceptor, launcher, canister, command-and-control system, radar, sensor, communications network, and external system interfaces. · Develop and maintain system-integration plans, interface requirements, verification methods, and test objectives. · Coordinate integration activities among missile developers, launcher teams, command-and-control providers, sensor developers, government customers, test organizations, and operational users. · Support laboratory, ground, system-integration, flight, and live-fire testing at government and contractor facilities. · Provide on-site engineering and analytical support at test ranges such as Yuma Proving Ground, White Sands Missile Range, Eglin Air Force Base, and other locations. · Monitor test execution, evaluate system performance, identify anomalies, and provide timely recommendations during active test events. · Analyze system performance across the complete engagement sequence, from target detection and tracking through weapon assignment, launch, interceptor flyout, and target defeat. · Evaluate command-and-control behavior, engagement logic, system timing, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and end-to-end kill-chain performance. · Support development of test plans, test cards, data-management plans, test-readiness reviews, technical reports, and final test findings. · Formulate recommendations for improvements to missile performance, system integration, operator interfaces, software behavior, and system employment. · Conduct quantitative analysis to assess system effectiveness against representative UAS threats and operational scenarios. · Analyze operational and theater data to validate system effectiveness in real-world environments. · Identify performance gaps, integration deficiencies, environmental limitations, and opportunities to improve the effectiveness of fielded C-UAS capabilities. · Develop forensic reports following operational events, reconstructing the engagement timeline and evaluating how the system and operators performed. · Provide clear narrative responses to operational units describing findings, recommended corrective actions, and potential improvements to tactics, techniques, and procedures. · Support site-survey and emplacement analysis for radars, launchers, sensors, and command-and-control systems. · Recommend system placement and employment concepts based on terrain, threat approaches, sensor coverage, interceptor performance, infrastructure, and operational constraints. · Develop analytical tools, models, visualizations, and decision-support products using Python, MATLAB, Excel, Minitab, or similar tools. · Apply optimization, operations-research, and process-improvement methods to system performance, test planning, production readiness, and fielding challenges. · Brief technical findings, program risks, and recommended actions to engineering teams, program leadership, government customers, and operational users. · Mentor junior engineers and help establish repeatable processes for integration, testing, operational analysis, and technical reporting. Required Qualifications · Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field. · Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in C-UAS, missile defense, air defense, weapons integration, operational analysis, test and evaluation, or another complex defense-system environment. · Demonstrated experience integrating interceptors or other effectors into command-and-control systems. · Experience supporting engineering, integration, flight, or live-fire test events at Department of Defense test ranges. · Experience analyzing the performance of complex systems using test, operational, or simulation data. · Understanding of end-to-end C-UAS or air-defense engagement processes. · Experience developing technical reports and evidence-based recommendations for system-performance improvements. · Ability to evaluate complex technical and operational problems from a system-of-systems perspective. · Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills. · Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Visio. · Experience with Python, MATLAB, Minitab, or comparable analytical tools. · Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical findings to program leaders, government customers, and operational users. · Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary government and industry teams. · Willingness to travel regularly to test ranges, integration facilities, suppliers, and operational locations. · U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance. Preferred Qualifications · Master's degree in operations research, operations management, systems engineering, applied mathematics, engineering management, or a related field. · Direct experience with C-UAS interceptors, launchers, command-and-control systems, and sensor architectures. · Experience supporting the Joint Analysis Team or a comparable government systems-engineering and operational-analysis organization. · Experience integrating missile or interceptor systems with FAAD C2, IBCS-M, or comparable battle-management systems. · Experience supporting tests at Yuma Proving Ground, White Sands Missile Range, Eglin Air Force Base, or similar Department of Defense ranges. · Experience conducting operational or theater analysis of deployed C-UAS systems. · Experience preparing forensic analyses following real-world UAS engagements. · Knowledge of radar coverage, sensor placement, interceptor envelopes, site-emplacement planning, and layered-defense design. · Experience developing or improving warfighter tactics, techniques, and procedures. · Familiarity with test and evaluation processes, requirements verification, test-readiness reviews, deficiency reporting, and corrective-action tracking. · Experience with optimization, operations research, statistical analysis, or simulation. · Experience with manufacturing-capacity analysis, production planning, material flow, manpower planning, or process improvement. · Familiarity with Lean, value-stream mapping, industrial engineering, or continuous-improvement methods. · Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams or major system-integration activities. · Active Secret or higher-level U.S. security clearance. Technical Skills of Interest · C-UAS system-of-systems integration · Missile and interceptor integration · Command-and-control integration · Launcher and canister integration · Sensor-to-shooter connectivity · End-to-end kill-chain analysis · Flight-test and live-fire test support · Operational and theater analysis · Forensic event reconstruction · System-effectiveness assessment · Site-emplacement and coverage analysis · Requirements verification · Test planning and technical reporting · Python and MATLAB · Excel, Visio and Minitab · Optimization and operations research · Statistical and quantitative analysis · Process and production-capacity improvement Candidate Profile The ideal candidate understands that successful missile performance depends on more than the interceptor itself. This person can evaluate how the missile, launcher, command-and-control system, radar, communications architecture, operators, and operational environment work together across the complete engagement. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable supporting a live-fire event at a test range, coordinating an interface issue with a command-and-control provider, analyzing a real-world engagement, and briefing program leadership on the actions required to improve system performance. This individual will bring a disciplined, quantitative approach to the program while maintaining a strong focus on operational effectiveness and the needs of the warfighter. They will play a central role in ensuring the Next Generation C-UAS Missile is not only technically successful, but fully integrated, operationally relevant, and ready for fielding. Clearance Level Secret The salary range for this role is: $111,500 - $170,000 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: . We also encourage you to review our company website at 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