Director of Engineering, Directed Energy Systems

Worker Type

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:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates 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 AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments 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: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats 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 Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres 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 datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR