Program Manager

AeroVironment, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 120,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life insurance

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to lead mission-critical contracts requiring extensive program management, cost/schedule control, and cross-functional leadership.

You will coordinate with CO/COR, government program managers, and senior management to ensure successful execution under ITAR/EAR requirements. The role demands deep experience in earned value, risk management, and multi-vendor coordination, with a focus on delivering compliant and timely results while

Qualifications

• Fifteen (15) years experience as a program or project manager in managing programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Direct experience in managing multi-task contracts and subcontracts, and leading a multi-vendor environment.
• Knowledgeable of FAR/DFARS, DoE 5000 series, and ICD 801 policies.
• Experience in requirements analysis, resource allocation, project costing, deliverable tracking, and scheduling.
• PMP, FAC-P/PM Senior Level, or DAWIA Level 3 certification in program management.

Responsibilities

• Successful cost, schedule, and performance of the contract.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the CO, COR, Government Program Manager, and contractor leadership.
• Contribute to cost management, schedule estimation/tracking, risk management, and QA activities.
• Ensure proper performance of tasks for efficient contract execution.
• Coordinate ECPs and value engineering proposals to the Government PM.
• Prepare program status reviews and respond to Congressional inquiries as needed.
• Recruit and train program staff, including direct and indirect personnel.

Skills

Program management

Cost control

Earned Value Mgmt

Risk management

Contract management

Leadership

Education

PMP

FAC-P/PM Senior Level

DAWIA Level 3

Tools

EVM systems

Contract management software

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description At AV, we don't just witness the future of national security - we create it. We're on the search for a Program Manager to embark on challenging, mission-critical projects directly impacting the nation's security and intelligence mission. The Program Manager will report to a Division Director and shall provide technical, managerial, and administrative resources necessary to execute and successfully fulfill the contract requirements, including any approved work to support additional contract requirements beyond the initial scope of work.

Position Responsibilities:

• Successful cost, schedule, and performance of the contract.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the Contracting Officer (CO), the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), the Government Program Manager, and the Contractor's senior management.
• Directly contribute to program efforts in several areas, including cost management/avoidance, schedule estimation and tracking, contract performance management, risk management, requirements analysis, and quality assurance activities.
• Ensures proper performance of tasks necessary to ensure the most efficient and effective execution of the contract.
• Utilize expert communication skills needed to direct the skilled technical resources and report on the technical progress, issues, and problem areas, as well as write and review technical documents.
• Additional responsibilities: Allocate resources (staffing, facilities, and budgets) on contract Review and approve all earned value, Estimate to Complete, Funds to Man-hour Expenditure Report, or other financial reports as appropriate Review and allocate management reserve within contractual limits Ensure cross-discipline integration within the contract to meet Government needs Work with the higher-level program manager, if applicable, to provide effective and efficient management of the contractor's effort Review and propose the Integrated Program Baseline (or resource loaded schedule) to the Government Review the risk and risk mitigations activities and allocate budgets for the same Prepare program status reviews and other formal reviews to be presented to the Government PM Ensure the timely recruitment and training of program staff - both direct and indirect Review all financial and technical reports before release to the Government Communicate issues and solutions to the Government PM in a timely and transparent manner Ensure compliance with all regulatory and administrative requirements imposed by the contract in coordination with the Contractor's contracts staff Assist the Government PM by providing input to statutory acquisition reports and response to Congressional Questions for the Record (QFRs) Coordinate the preparation of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and value engineering proposals to the Government PM Provide Contractor input to the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan reviews or Aware Fee reviews, as appropriate Communicate issues and solutions to the broader Government management structure as requested by the senior Government leaders Provide guidance and direct tasking for Level 0, 1, and 2 program managers if any are assigned to the contract/program Rapidly assemble and execute focused cross-disciplinary Government/Contractor teams to address to urgent or unexpected cost, schedule, or technical program/contract issues.

Position Qualifications:

• Fifteen (15) years experience as a program or project manager in managing programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required.
• Direct experience in managing multi-task contracts and subcontracts of various types and complexity, as well as experience in leading a multi-vendor environment is required.
• Knowledgeable of the guidelines provided by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), DoE 5000 series, and ICD 801 policies.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting requirements analysis, resource allocation, project costing, deliverable tracking, schedule and financial data monitoring, and reporting.
• At least three (3) years of demonstrated experience in the management and control of funds and resources using complex reporting mechanisms such as Earned Value Management (EVM) PMP, FAC-P/PM Senior Level, or Defense Acquisitions Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level 3 certification in program management.
• An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.

Salary Range: $120,000.00 - $245,000.00 The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

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.

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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A \"U.S. person\" according to their 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.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. 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.

About AV

ITAR 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.