Lead Program Manager - Space Electronics

InvestedintheMission; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 101,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a mid-career Lead Program Manager to oversee satellite electronics programs within its Space Technologies Division. The role focuses on leading a flight computer product line, coordinating with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure scheduling, pricing, and performance commitments are met.

Responsibilities include developing the integrated master schedule, managing risks, and guiding program execution from requirements through to delivery, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field with 8+ years aerospace/technical PM experience.
• Master's degree in the same fields with 10+ years aerospace/technical PM experience.
• PM knowledge aligned to industry standards and ability to lead across teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• PM Certification (PMP) is preferred for advanced eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of a flight computer product line end-to-end.
• Collaborate with customers to forecast demand and guide pricing.
• Support contract management in cost and schedule negotiations.
• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure component availability and supplier commitments.
• Develop and maintain an integrated master schedule.
• Lead risk management for the product.
• Manage resources, budgets, and schedules to meet performance goals.
• Report program status internally and to customers.
• Clarify team responsibilities, accountability, and authority.
• Drive issue resolution and cross-functional configuration management.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Lifecycle management

DoD clearance

PM standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in PM / BA / Systems Eng

Master's degree in PM / BA / Systems Eng

PMP certification

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

AV has an immediate opening for a mid-career Lead Program Manager to support satellite electronics programs within its Space Technologies Division. AV provides a full suite of exquisite, space-qualified hardware trusted to fly in the most extreme environments space presents across GEO, MEO, LEO and Cislunar orbits. With hundreds of systems flying in space, our customers turn to AV when a mission can't fail.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the management of a flight computer product line including:
• Working with customers to understand forecasts and demand for the product
• Leading proposal development, ensuring stable product pricing
• Assisting contract management in negotiations related to cost, schedule, and risk posture
• Partnering with material managers and supply chain to ensure inventory of electronic components is available and suppliers are meeting commitments
• Leading the development of an integrated master schedule
• Leading a risk management process for the product
• Managing all assigned resources including people, facilities, budgets, and schedules to meet performance requirements and commitments
• Reporting on product/program status internally and externally
• Ensuring project team members' responsibilities, accountability and authority are clearly documented and understood
• Ensuring assigned individuals are executing the assigned tasks and providing appropriate tracking and reporting per plan
• Facilitating the resolution of program issues
• Partnering cross functionally on configuration management and associated deliveries of the product
• Performing project management activities in accordance with accepted project management standards in the industry (e.g., PMI, Project Management Body of Knowledge [PMBOK], ANSI, and ISO-standards)

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Competencies)

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field and 8+ years of relevant experience within aerospace or a technical field as a project or program manager
• Thorough knowledge and proficiency in all project management areas in accordance with Industry project management standards
• Ability to lead and direct the activities and resources within and across the organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to listen, assimilate, evaluate, and summarize. Sound ability to communicate with the customer at all levels
• Knowledge of the Project Lifecycle from requirements definition, proposal preparation and negotiation and project implementation through to completion
• Strong initiative in defining, proposing, implementing, and communicating schedule metrics that support informed decision-making
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
• Master's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field and 10+ years of relevant experience within aerospace or a technical field as a project or program manager
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

$101,000 - $154,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

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.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

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.

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