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AeroVironment

Robot type
Drone · Defense
Location
LeesburgVirginiaUSA
Job type
Hardware
Posted
Oct 20, 2026
Salary
$153,500–$234,250 a year
Full-time

Principal Electrical Engineer

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead and support the development of systems that detect and classify Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) using their Radio Frequency (RF) links. This role combines traditional electrical engineering responsibilities, including circuit and board design for Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems, board bring-up, and integration and testing.

The ideal candidate will have experience designing electronic systems, selecting components, developing schematics and printed circuit board layouts, and supporting hardware through integration and testing.

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

Job responsibilities

  • Lead the electrical design and development of RF sensing and UAS detection systems.
  • Develop system architectures, electrical interfaces, schematics, and printed circuit board layouts.
  • Select components and equipment based on performance, availability, reliability, environmental requirements, and system specifications.
  • Support PCB layout, design reviews, prototype fabrication, board bring-up, integration, and verification.
  • Design and analyze power distribution, embedded control, RF interfaces, and related electronic subsystems.
  • Use SDR platforms for RF signal acquisition, experimentation, characterization, and system validation.
  • Troubleshoot complex electronic, RF, embedded, and integrated systems.
  • Support hardware and software integration, laboratory testing, and field testing activities as needed.

Job requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering. An advanced degree is preferred.
  • Minimum of 12 years of professional engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated experience with electrical circuit design, schematic capture, PCB layout, component selection, and hardware integration.
  • Experience using Altium Designer or comparable tools for schematic capture and PCB layout.
  • Experience with RF systems, embedded control, FPGA-based systems, or related electronic subsystems.
  • Knowledge of common hardware and communication interfaces, such as LVDS, I2C, HDMI, UART, SPI, CAN, USB, and MIPI.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex electronic systems and supporting laboratory and field-test operations.
  • Expertise in engineering fundamentals, mathematics, physics, and electrical system analysis.

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