A

AeroVironment

Defense technology and unmanned aerial systems

Quality Engineer 2

Full-Time
$82k - $125k
Mid, Senior
Bachelor's, Master's
Simi Valley, CA, USA
In Person
Manufacturing Quality & TestQuality Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in a related discipline and five years of experience, or a master's degree and at least three years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • A minimum of two to five years of related experience.
  • Knowledge of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, Statistical Process Control, Gage R&R studies, and lean manufacturing methodologies.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100 and AS9102 standards and audits.
  • Knowledge of dimensional inspection measurement systems and their application to inspection of complex products, including ASME Y14.5 (GD&T), and knowledge of mechanical inspection methods and skills.
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Ability to communicate with customers and suppliers to resolve process gaps and apply specified requirements cost-effectively.
  • Ability to collect, compile, and analyze data using appropriate Six Sigma methods and techniques to determine root causes and corrective or preventive actions that prevent recurrence.
  • Ability to achieve internal and external DPPM reduction and on-time-delivery improvements internally and at suppliers.
  • Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment and regularly stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
  • This position requires qualification as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or eligibility for an export license.
Responsibilities
  • Coordinate work with Quality Technicians and inspectors as necessary.
  • Provide internal auditing support.
  • Drive timely corrective action and failure analysis.
  • Participate in Product Readiness Reviews and coordinate Final Inspection activities.
  • Provide guidance and assistance on quality enhancement strategies and interpretation of workmanship criteria.
  • Perform process capability analyses on key characteristics and implement Inspection and Quality Plans.
  • Conduct internal audits of quality management systems, purchasing, contract review processes, and manufacturing.
  • Drive improvements in internal and external quality in support of strategic business objectives.
  • Build productive internal and external working relationships and articulate concepts and ideas to technical and non-technical staff.
  • Resolve a wide range of issues by applying company policies and procedures.
  • Analyze data to address problems of diverse scope and evaluate identifiable factors.
  • Ensure product acceptance criteria reflect the customer's definition of fitness for use.
  • Correspond with customer representatives as required to understand their needs and expectations.
  • Participate in reviewing engineering specifications to ensure adequate quality and reliability requirements are included.
  • Reduce defects in various processes through data analysis and team problem-solving.
  • Review customer contracts and purchase orders, identify requirements, and flow down new customer requirements to all functions.
  • Review New Product Integration customer specifications, flow down new requirements to all functions, and help establish compliance with customer requirements.
  • Perform production part approval processes (PPAPs).
  • Act as liaison for development and Low Rate Initial Production areas on New Product Integration processes and first article inspection.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Demonstrates initiative to work efficiently and streamline processes; normally receives some instruction on day-to-day work and general instructions on new assignments.
  • Understands their specialization and applies professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues effectively.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
  • Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad range of duties.
  • Demonstrates initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
  • Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
  • Learns from mistakes and seeks to improve personal, team, and company performance.
  • Focuses on teamwork and collaboration, prioritizing team success.

About the company

AeroVironment designs and builds defense robotic systems for air, land, and space, including small hand-launched drones, high-altitude surveillance aircraft, and the Switchblade loitering munition. Its products operate as autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms with sensors, control software, and payloads, enabling reconnaissance and, for weapons-enabled models, targeted strikes. It differentiates itself by combining a deep unmanned-aircraft heritage with a growing multi-domain defense portfolio and strategic acquisitions to broaden capabilities into space tech, counter-UAS, and directed energy. Its goal is to become a broad defense-technology provider that wins large, long-term contracts by offering integrated, autonomous systems across multiple domains.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Crystal City, Virginia

Founded

1971

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 9, 2026 revenue hit $480.5 million with $1.5 billion funded backlog.
  • LOCUST won a first international order over $50 million on September 8, 2026.
  • P550, Titan MS, and E-HEL bookings diversify growth beyond Raven and Switchblade.

What critics are saying

  • SCAR's March 2026 termination erased a $1.7 billion program and sparked a lawsuit.
  • Fiscal 2027 free cash flow stays negative as facility capex peaks across four states.
  • Boeing, Anduril, and cheaper drone suppliers pressure AVAV pricing and win rates.

What makes AeroVironment unique

  • LOCUST became the Army's first production high-energy laser contract on September 2, 2026.
  • BlueHalo and ESAero give AVAV space, cyber, directed energy, and UAS breadth.
  • AVAV's national manufacturing footprint and AV_Halo software stack tie systems together.

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Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision

Health Savings Account

401(k) Account

Alternative Work Schedule

Educational and Tuition Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Sick Leave Donation

Time Off

Travel Assistance

Company Sponsored Events

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

9%

1 year growth

9%

2 year growth

14%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 14th, 2026
AeroVironment partners with Elsight to add resilient multi-network connectivity to Mayhem 10

AeroVironment (AV) and Elsight have partnered to integrate Elsight's Halo connectivity technology into AV's Mayhem 10 launched effects system. The aim is to keep communications reliable in contested environments. Halo bonds satellite, cellular and point-to-point radio links into one connection. It adapts to changing network conditions without operator intervention, reducing reliance on any single link. Austin Miller, vice president and general manager of AV's loitering munition systems business unit, said Mayhem 10's open architecture lets the company add new capabilities quickly. Integration work is underway, the companies said.

Overt Defense
Oct 9th, 2026
NIOA and AeroVironment Partner on Switchblade for Australia.

NIOA and AeroVironment Partner on Switchblade for Australia. Australia's NIOA Group and AeroVironment have entered a strategic partnership to introduce, sustain and expand AeroVironment's loitering munitions across Australia and New Zealand, the companies announced at the Land Forces exhibition in Australia. According to NIOA, the agreement "establishes a framework for cooperation across the AeroVironment portfolio, including the combat-proven Switchblade family of precision loitering munitions, and positions NIOA as AeroVironment's local partner for distribution, customer engagement, support and long-term capability development." The two firms stated the arrangement is intended to "support the introduction into service, sustainment and future growth of advanced loitering munitions capabilities across Australia and New Zealand." The partnership names NIOA as the regional point of contact for AeroVironment product distribution, customer engagement and sustainment. Both companies will "also explore opportunities to expand support and industrial capability in Australia," per the release, which pointed to a joint commitment to meet Australian Defence Force requirements and to examine local support, sustainment and future industrial capability development. The arrangement covers AeroVironment's broader portfolio including the Switchblade family of precision loitering munitions. Ben James, NIOA executive vice president for Australia and New Zealand, noted that the country's 2024 Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plan, issued by the Australian military, called for introducing the Switchblade 300 into service with the Australian Army "by 2025," following an earlier acquisition announcement. "Combining NIOA's deep expertise in strategic munitions supply, manufacturing and support with AeroVironment's global leadership in loitering munitions and autonomous systems technology represents a significant win for both the ADF and in the integration of Australian and US industrial bases," James said. Justin McFarlin, AeroVironment vice president of international business development, said the partnership with NIOA combines "AeroVironment's combat-proven technologies with a trusted Australian defence industry partner to support customers, strengthen sovereign capability outcomes and establish the foundations for long-term growth across the region."

Man Monthly
Oct 7th, 2026
NIOA partners with AeroVironment.

NIOA partners with AeroVironment. Reading Time: 2 mins read NIOA and AeroVironment have announced a strategic partnership to support the introduction into service, sustainment and future growth of advanced loitering munitions capabilities across Australia and New Zealand. The partnership establishes a framework for cooperation across AeroVironment's portfolio, including the combat-proven Switchblade family of precision loitering munitions. It also positions NIOA as AeroVironment's local partner for distribution, customer engagement, support and long-term capability development. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting Australian Defence Force requirements while exploring opportunities for local support, sustainment and future industrial capability development. NIOA Australia and New Zealand executive vice president Ben James said the partnership combined Australian strategic munitions leadership with world-leading technology. "The Australian GWEO Plan identified the acquisition and introduction into service of Switchblade as a key objective," he said. "Combining NIOA's deep expertise in strategic munitions supply, manufacturing and support with AeroVironment's global leadership in loitering munitions and autonomous systems technology represents a significant win for both the ADF and in the integration of Australian and US industrial bases." AeroVironment vice president international business development Justin McFarlin said operational success with loitering munitions was driving demand for the capabilities around the world, including Australia. "Through our partnership with NIOA, we are combining AeroVironment's combat-proven technologies with a trusted Australian defence industry partner to support customers, strengthen sovereign capability outcomes and establish the foundations for long-term growth across the region." The companies will also explore opportunities to expand support and industrial capability in Australia as demand for autonomous systems and loitering munitions continues to grow. The partnership covers AeroVironment's broader portfolio and is intended to support the introduction into service and ongoing sustainment of its capabilities across Australia and New Zealand. NIOA will serve as the local partner for distribution and customer engagement, while the companies work towards longer-term capability development and potential industrial opportunities in Australia. The partnership comes as Australia continues to develop its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance capability and consider the role of autonomous systems and loitering munitions within future defence requirements. NIOA is exhibiting at Land Forces 2026 at stand #4G16 from 6-8 October.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 24th, 2026
AeroVironment and 2 automation stocks gain as rising rates boost demand for labour-saving tech

AeroVironment, a defence technology company specialising in autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems and loitering munitions, is attracting attention in the robotics sector. The company generates approximately $1.4 billion from Autonomous Systems and $584 million from Space, Cyber and Directed Energy operations. With a market capitalisation of $7.9 billion, AeroVironment's drone and autonomy platforms deploy physical AI for demanding military and government missions. Recent developments include the EHEL award, LOCUST international sale, and multiple Titan contract wins. Analysts note the company has shifted from anticipated to achieved inflection, though questions remain about future cash generation as new programmes absorb capacity. The company serves both US and international markets, with $1.4 billion in US revenue and $556 million internationally.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 16th, 2026
Cathie Wood's ARK buys more AVAV stock for second day, trims GOOGL stake again

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest purchased AeroVironment shares for the second consecutive day, adding 9,037 shares in the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF on Tuesday. This followed Monday's purchase of 28,016 shares across two funds, bringing the two-day total to 38,053 shares. ARK simultaneously reduced its Alphabet holdings for the second straight day, selling 294 shares across two funds on Tuesday after offloading 38,273 shares Monday. The AeroVironment buying follows the defence technology company's strong earnings report, which showed record first-quarter revenue of $480.5 million and a $1.5 billion funded backlog, up 37% year-over-year. However, Jefferies lowered its AeroVironment price target to $204 from $229 whilst maintaining a Buy rating, citing lower peer multiples.