Lead Digital Engineering Systems Architect

Worker Type

Regular

AV is seeking a Lead Digital Engineering Systems Architect to guide and execute Digital Engineering strategy for the Kinetic Interceptors team across a portfolio of advanced missile programs. This senior technical leadership role focuses on the development and integration of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) practices, toolsets, and architectures to support end-to-end product development, analysis, and testing in a Digital Engineering environment.

• Define and lead the Digital Engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with program and customer goals.
• Ensure technical integrity and execution across multi-disciplinary teams, driving solutions that meet or exceed cost, schedule, and performance requirements.
• Serve as the primary technical interface to senior DoD customers, program leadership, subcontractors, and partners.
• Architect and implement engineering ontologies, modeling patterns, and integration strategies across tools and platforms.
• Design and manage system architecture models supporting full lifecycle development—from concept to production.
• Lead a team of systems engineers in implementing MBSE best practices and advancing AV's Digital Engineering capabilities.
• Develop custom scripts and integrations to optimize workflows and model validations across tools.
• Support and maintain existing Digital Engineering tool customizations, triage technical issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to assess business needs and translate them into scalable engineering solutions.
• Generate clear technical specifications and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and help build technical depth across the organization.

• B.S. in an engineering discipline with 12+ years of experience, M.S. with 10+ years, or Ph.D. with 8+ years.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing and leading Digital Engineering environments in support of weapon systems.
• An active Secret level security clearance.
• Strong background in system architecture design, systems engineering, integration, and testing.
• Demonstrated leadership in multi-disciplinary teams and experience managing technical execution across complex programs.
• Direct experience working with DoD customers and defense industry partners.
• Proven ability to manage multi-million-dollar engineering budgets and resources.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with engineering Risk and Opportunity (R&O) management.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer or test sites.

• M.S. with 13+ years or Ph.D. with 11+ years of relevant experience.
• 10+ years of experience leading Digital Engineering efforts for complex defense systems.
• Hands-on experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect) and data exchange mechanisms.
• Experience with ontology design, system modeling languages (e.g., SysML), and custom tool integrations.
• Prior involvement in strategic planning, business development, or capture efforts in the defense industry.

$160,000 - $226,800

The AV pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors, including but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity, as well as alignment with market data.

AV offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. Aero Vironment, 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.

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR/EAR, or be approved for an export license. U.S. Citizenship is required. Applicants with Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain a clearance, are desired.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Based in California, Aero Vironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft…