Product Line Director - EW Systems

AeroVironment, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 237,000; 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. seeks a Product Line Director for the AV EW Systems group to own the product line from concept through sustainment. You will lead cross-functional IPTs across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, aligning roadmap with customer needs and business strategy.

You’ll manage budgets, risk, and program performance for DoD programs. Applicants should have a security clearance and 10+ years in defense programs or program management, with strong experience in SIGINT/Cyber/EW

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field and 10+ years in defense programs, product line or program management.
• Experience leading SIGINT/Cyber/EW/C-UAS systems developments and interfacing with Army/DoD customers.
• Strong knowledge of EACs, program financials, earned value, and execution metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end AV EW Systems product line across lifecycle—from capture to sustainment.
• Direct program budgets, forecasts, margins, and risk management.
• Engage with Army, NNSA, Air Force and other DoD customers to translate needs into executable plans.
• Drive transition from development to production, including supply chain readiness and sustainment.

Skills

Executive leadership

Defense program experience

Earned value management

Government customer engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics/Business

Masters or PhD in Hardware/Software Eng or related fields

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Job Summary AV is growing and we are seeking an experienced Product Line Director (PLD) for the AV EW (Electronic Warfare) Systems group. The PLD will be responsible for overall product line ownership, assist with management of production programs, assist with program execution, and lifecycle management across the AV EW Systems portfolio. This role serves as the business and execution lead for AV EW Systems programs, partnering closely with the AV EW leadership, chief engineering team and business development team to drive the technical roadmap while ensuring disciplined execution from concept development through production, fielding, and sustainment. The PLD is responsible for program performance, cost, schedule, risk, and customer satisfaction, and acts as the primary interface between customers, AV EW senior leadership and chief engineering team. This position plays a critical role in scaling EW System capabilities into operational systems for U.S. Government customers.

Position Responsibilities:

• Product Line & Program Leadership - Responsible for end-to-end execution of the AV EW Systems product line across all phases of the program lifecycle: capture, development, integration, production, fielding, and sustainment. For programs associated with the AV EW Systems group the PLD is responsible for cost, schedule, technical performance, and delivery commitments. Partner with the AV EW leadership and chief engineering team to align technical roadmap, architecture decisions, and capability evolution with customer requirements and business strategy. Lead cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs) including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, and finance.
• Financial & Program Control - Develop, manage, and execute program budgets, EACs, forecasts, and margin performance. Ensure disciplined program controls, risk management, and change management across contracts. Drive affordability, scalability, and producibility initiatives aligned with customer acquisition strategies. Support pricing strategies, proposal development, and negotiation for new programs, follow-ons, and production options.
• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement - Act as a senior customer interface for AV EW Systems programs with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and other DoD and interagency stakeholders. Support customer engagements including design reviews, program reviews, test events, fielding activities, and operational demonstrations. Translate evolving customer CONOPS and mission needs into executable program plans and product enhancements. Represent the AV EW Systems product line in internal and external executive-level forums.
• Execution, Production & Sustainment - Drive transition from development to production, including supply chain readiness, manufacturing scale-up, and quality assurance. Oversee sustainment planning, field support, spares, upgrades, and lifecycle cost reduction efforts. Ensure alignment with modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and long-term sustainment strategies. Support deployed systems with responsiveness and operational urgency.

Required Skills & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field (advanced degree preferred). 10+ years of experience in defense programs, product line management, or program management. Demonstrated experience leading SIGINT/Cyber/EW/C-U systems developments. Strong working knowledge of EACs, program financials, earned value concepts, and execution metrics. Experience working directly with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and/or other government customers. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams delivering complex, mission-critical systems. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment. Currently posses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters or PhD degree in Hardware or Software Engineering Disciplines or related fields. Advanced knowledge of wireless technology Advanced knowledge of SIGINT/Cyber/EW/C-UAS systems Advanced knowledge of Digital Signal Processing Advanced knowledge of Firmware/Embedded Signal Processing Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning (AI/ML) and application to EW systems Proven track record of delivering larger Department of War (DoW) programs (+$10M) Familiarity with DoW acquisition pathways, OTAs, rapid capability offices, and transition-to-program-of-record efforts Currently posses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Physical Demands:

• Occasionally required to stand.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Continually required to talk or hear.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance: Occasionally/Frequently/Continually works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals. Occasionally/Frequently/Continually exposed to outside weather conditions. Occasionally/Frequently/Continually exposed to extreme heat or cold (non-weather). While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and/or move up to 50 Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Occasionally/Frequently/Continually required to taste or smell. Occasionally/Frequently/Continually exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather).

Special Requirements:

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required. Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required. Clearance Level Secret

The salary range for this role is: $148,000 - $237,000. 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.

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.

Careers at AeroVironment