Principal Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Principal Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer

The Principal Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Engineer will be responsible for the architecture, development, integration, and deployment of NGCM HWIL systems supporting Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), avionics, and missile subsystem validation. This role owns the full lifecycle of HWIL system development from requirements definition through integration, test, and customer deployment. This individual will lead a small multidisciplinary team and serve as the technical interface between GNC, systems engineering, propulsion, and program management.

Key Responsibilities:

HWIL Architecture & System Design

Define HWIL system architecture for NGCM baseline and future variants

Draft hardware and software requirements for HWIL drawers and subsystems

Develop Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Functional Block Diagrams (FBDs), Wiring Diagrams (WDs), and Test Procedures

Ensure configuration control of all HWIL technical data packages (TDPs)

Integration & Test

Design, build, test, and deploy complete HWIL systems

Lead integration of avionics, GEU, seeker, CAS, and propulsion interfaces into HWIL environment

Support TRR, ATP, and QTP events

Develop validation and verification (V&V) strategies for GNC algorithms

Program & Technical Leadership

Lead and manage HWIL engineering team (electrical, software, integration)

Develop Basis of Estimate (BOE) for new scope and IRAD efforts

Support Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning and execution

Coordinate staffing and resource planning for HWIL activities

Customer & Capture Support

Interface with Army, RCCTO, and industry partners

Support OTA proposals and technical white papers

Provide technical inputs for future NGCM derivative capture efforts

Travel to partner sites for HWIL deployment and integration support

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering (Master's preferred)

12+ years’ experience in electrical hardware design and avionics integration

Direct experience designing, building, and deploying HWIL or system test systems

Experience leading small engineering teams

Background in missile or hypersonic systems preferred

Experience with:

Avionics hardware lifecycle management

Configuration Management (ECO, DCO, NCR, MRB, ERB processes

Environmental qualification testing (ATP/QTP)

OTA proposals and technical capture efforts

Strong working knowledge of:

Controls systems and GNC integration

Electrical system design & hardware integration

Technical data package development

Desired Qualifications

Experience developing HWIL systems for missile flight hardware

Familiarity with trajectory analysis, radar modeling, or MATLAB-based analysis tools

Prior hiring manager or section lead experience

Clearance Level

Secret

The salary range for this role is: $137,500 - $234,000

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: 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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.