Director, Business Operations

AeroVironment, Inc.; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in the Los Angeles area is seeking a hands-on Business Operations lead to tackle strategic initiatives and drive rapid execution.

This role will own high-priority programs, define problem statements, and deliver solutions that move the company forward at startup pace. You will partner with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Programs, Growth, and other teams to implement improvements, build tools, and help stand up a growing Business Operations function with

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience solving complex business or operational problems in fast-paced environments such as management consulting, startups, or private equity portfolio operations.
• Experience working within, modifying, or implementing enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, MRP, HRIS, CRM).
• Track record of implementing solutions to problems, not just recommending strategies.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across a wide range of functions and levels of seniority.
• High agency and high grit – extreme ownership to see projects through to completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-priority projects from problem definition through implementation and handoff.
• Improve processes, systems, and ways of working to accelerate speed, scale, or execution.
• Break down complex issues, identify root causes, and build solutions with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Programs, Growth, and others to implement solutions.
• Help build the Business Operations team by shaping the project list, briefing execs, and recruiting talent.
• Be among the first in the function with significant ownership to stand up the team.

Skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Communication

Ownership

Tools

ERP systems

MRP

HRIS

CRM

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

AV is building a team of elite operators to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the company, from solving supply chain bottlenecks to modernizing our finance systems. The company is entering a period of unprecedented growth, and the Business Operations function will play a critical role in transforming the company’s speed of execution.

What You’ll Do

• Lead high-priority projects from problem definition through implementation and handoff
• Improve processes, systems, and ways of working that limit speed, scale, or execution
• Quickly break down system or process issues, identify root causes, and build out solutions alongside the relevant stakeholders
• Work alongside Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Programs, Growth, and other teams to implement solutions
• Help build out the Business Operations team by shaping our project list, briefing the executive leadership team on our work, and recruiting talent
• You will be one of the first employees in the Business Operations function and have significant ownership in helping stand up the team

This is not just a “strategy” or “internal consulting” role. You should want to roll up your sleeves and do the messy work of determining root cause, bridging cultural gaps between teams and functions, building new tooling or processes, and training teams to adopt new practices

Work at startup pace and bend AV towards the speed and urgency of an early‑stage company

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience solving complex business or operational problems in fast‑paced environments such as management consulting, startups, or private equity portfolio operations
• Experience working within, modifying, or implementing enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, MRP, HRIS, CRM)
• Track record of implementing solutions to problems, not just recommending strategies
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills across a wide range of functions and levels of seniority, from shop floor technicians to engineers to senior executives
• High agency and high grit – we will be working on hard problems that will require tenacity and the ability to take extreme ownership to see projects through to completion

Preferred Qualifications

• Quantitative or STEM background

Location

Onsite in Los Angeles (Simi Valley) or Washington, DC

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $167,500 - $268,000

ITAR Requirements

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.

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 required

Careers at AeroVironment