RF System Architect

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary 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. Key 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 o Establish and evolve reference architectures, ensuring scalability, modularity, and alignment with enterprise and BU strategy o Drive architectural trade studies and design decisions spanning RF, digital, software, FPGA, mechanical, and system integration domains o 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 o Translate market trends, customer gaps, and mission needs into actionable product and technology strategies o Support definition and prioritization of IRAD investments aligned to future opportunities and differentiated capabilities o 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 o Serve as a key technical contributor on captures and proposals, including solution architecture, technical volumes, and customer presentations o Shape and influence customer requirements and concepts of operation (CONOPS) to align with product capabilities o 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 o Ensure architectural decisions account for real-world deployment constraints, including platform integration, environmental factors, and operational use o 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 o Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure cohesive system design and integration o Mentor senior technical staff and cultivate architectural thinking across the organization o Promote adoption of modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and reusable design patterns Required Qualifications: · 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 Desired Qualifications: · 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 This role is central to defining the future of the Space RF product line(s) and shaping broader Business Unit strategy. The Chief Architect ensures that what the organization builds is not only technically sound, but also mission-relevant, deployable at scale, and aligned with where the market and customers are going. Clearance Level TS/SCI The salary range for this role is: $154,500 - $227,325 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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.