Senior Systems Engineer (Onsite)

Axon

• $108K — $174K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of hardware development experience with system-level ownership in mechanical, electrical, or RF engineering.
  • Hands-on experience with lab and shop tools for hardware testing and modification.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
  • Proven track record in system architecture and cross-discipline technical decision-making.
  • Experience in developing system requirements and V&V plans for U.S. and international certifications.
  • Familiarity with hardware development tools like CAD and PLM systems.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to communicate technical risks effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Architect fixed-site, portable, and mobile counter-UAS systems, guiding development with block diagrams and interfaces.
  • Manage power, thermal, and weight budgets to balance performance, size, and cost.
  • Lead concept generation and trade studies with internal teams and external partners.
  • Translate mission and product needs into testable system requirements.
  • Maintain traceability of requirements, interfaces, and verification criteria through V&V and change control.
  • Serve as the primary technical lead and contact for assigned programs.
  • Drive system V&V from requirements through qualification, surfacing integration risks before production.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary paid time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Mental Wellness support
  • Learning & Development programs
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  • Office snacks
Full Job Description
Your Impact

Drone threats evolve quickly, and our hardware must evolve with them. We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to own the architecture and integration of counter-UAS systems from initial concept through production.

You'll be the technical lead on your programs, working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, RF, Firmware, and Software leads and arbitrating cross-discipline tradeoffs. You'll also help set the engineering standards and processes that let the team move fast while delivering reliable systems.
What You'll Do

Location: Onsite at our Sterling, VA office
Reports to: Senior Systems Engineer II
Direct Reports: N/A
  • Architect fixed-site, portable, and mobile counter-UAS systems, and own the block diagrams and interfaces that guide development.
  • Own power, thermal, and weight budgets, balancing performance, size, and cost.
  • Lead concept generation and trade studies with internal teams and external partners.
  • Translate mission and product needs into testable system requirements.
  • Own requirements, interfaces, and verification criteria, maintaining traceability through V&V and change control.
  • Serve as technical lead and primary technical contact for assigned programs.
  • Lead SRR, PDR, and CDR, resolve competing constraints, and drive cross-discipline technical decisions.
  • Own system V&V from requirements through qualification, ensuring integration risks surface before certification and production.
  • Lead integration, lab, and MIL-STD qualification testing, and support field testing against live threats.
  • Drive the product-level qualification strategy and support regulatory certification for U.S. and international markets, including FCC, CE/RED, NRTL/UL, and EMC.
What You Bring
  • 7+ years of hardware development experience with system-level ownership and technical depth in at least one of mechanical, electrical, or RF, plus working breadth across the others.
  • Hands-on aptitude in the lab and shop, with experience using hand tools, lab equipment, and shop tools to build, modify, and test hardware.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Proven ownership of system architecture and cross-discipline technical decisions on integrated hardware, from concept through production.
  • Experience developing system requirements, interfaces, and V&V plans, and meeting U.S. and international certification requirements.
  • Experience with hardware development tools such as CAD, PLM, and requirements management systems.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills, sound judgment with incomplete information, and clear communication of technical risk to leadership in a fast-paced, high-ambiguity environment.
  • U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
  • Travel: Flexibility to travel domestically as needed.
Benefits that Benefit You
  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary paid time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Mental Wellness support
  • Learning & Development programs
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  • And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors. Our benefits offer an array of options to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. To see more details on our benefits offerings please visit https://www.axon.com/careers.

Base Pay Range

$108,750-$174,000 USD

Don't meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you're excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Important Notes

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

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