AeroVironment

Senior Software Engineer

AeroVironment$185K — $215K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics, or equivalent experience.
  • At least 14 years of relevant experience in software engineering, modernization, or solution architecture.
  • Proficient in Java, Python, and JavaScript (ReactJS).
  • Experience with AWS services, particularly EC2 and S3.
  • Hands-on experience with REST-based services and developing modern APIs.
  • Proficient with Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration.
  • Strong understanding of authentication frameworks such as OAuth2 and OpenID Connect.

Responsibilities

  • Engage with mission stakeholders to pinpoint operational challenges and modernization opportunities.
  • Conduct trade studies and create detailed technical reports with actionable recommendations.
  • Design and perform fail-fast experiments to quickly validate ideas.
  • Lead development of prototype solutions, achieving milestones over six-week timelines.
  • Provide estimates on time, scope, and resources for project planning.
  • Collaborate with teams to integrate effective prototypes into operational systems.
  • Support the transition of traditional applications into cloud-native architectures.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401K with company matching.
  • 9/80 work schedule for better work-life balance.
  • Paid holiday shutdown for extended time off.
Full Job Description
Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Job Summary

The primary role of the Software Engineer II is to drive research, modernization, and innovation initiatives across mission-critical systems. This role focuses on evaluating existing production environments, identifying modernization opportunities, and delivering rapid, validated solutions through structured trade studies and short-duration experiments.

You will collaborate directly with mission stakeholders to assess system gaps, design fail-fast experiments, and lead proof-of-concept development efforts that influence long-term architectural direction. Your work will directly impact modernization strategies, cloud adoption, and enterprise re-architecture efforts.

Position Responsibilities
  • Engage with mission stakeholders to identify operational challenges and modernization opportunities
  • Conduct trade studies and produce detailed technical research reports with actionable recommendations
  • Design and execute short-duration (one-week) fail-fast experiments to validate feasibility
  • Lead development of proof-of-concept solutions within six-week timelines, ensuring weekly demonstrable milestones
  • Provide accurate time, scope, and resource estimates to maintain mission schedules
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate successful prototypes into operational environments
  • Plan and support replatforming, rearchitecting, and refactoring of monolithic applications into cloud-native solutions
  • Apply secure authentication, authorization, and PKI principles within modernized architectures
  • Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and propose innovative mission-aligned solutions


Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Physics is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  • Minimum 14 years of relevant experience in software engineering, modernization, or solution architecture
  • Strong proficiency in Java, Python, and JavaScript (ReactJS)
  • Experience with AWS services including EC2 and S3
  • Hands-on experience with REST-based services and modern API development
  • Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
  • Strong understanding of authentication and authorization frameworks including OAuth2 and OpenID Connect
  • Experience working with PKI and certificate management
  • Experience working in Agile development environments
  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph


Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
  • Experience conducting modernization trade studies and architectural assessments
  • Experience with graph databases such as Amazon Neptune or Neo4j
  • Familiarity with AI/ML tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Hugging Face
  • Experience with identity and access management platforms such as Keycloak
  • Experience with CI/CD tools including Jenkins, GitLab CI, or GitHub Actions
  • Familiarity with build tools such as Maven
  • Experience designing scalable, cloud-native architectures for mission systems
  • Ability to interpret ambiguity and translate high-level needs into technical solutions
  • Comfortable guiding junior developers and organizing tasking within collaborative teams
  • Experience working in fast-paced, evolving mission environments


Salary Range: $185,000 - $215,000

The 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.

This is a pipeline requisition posted in advance of approved headcount for future hiring needs.

Note: Our team is always interested in speaking with exceptional candidates though please note this is a Pipeline posting with more of an eye towards our future needs rather than necessarily being an immediate hire. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A "U.S. person" according to their 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.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

U.S. Citizenship required

About AeroVironment

Size
1,214 employees
Market Cap
$2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$29.8 million
Founded
1971
5 Year Trend
+13.8%
Revenue
$394.1 million
NASDAQ

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