Program Manager - Ceramics

AeroVironment, Inc.; Upper Valley Trailer Court (OH); On-site; USD 107,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a technical project manager for the Advanced Research and Development division to lead the development, advancement, and transition of aerospace and defense technologies at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH.

This role combines rigorous project management with technical leadership to meet program objectives and customer requirements. The ideal candidate has a strong technical background in materials science or related fields, plus experience managing early-stage

Qualifications

• Master's degree with at least 3 years of experience in material science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with an emphasis on ceramics or ceramic composites.
• At least 1 year of project management experience with early-stage development efforts for defense applications.
• Familiarity with refractory materials, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, additive manufacturing, extreme materials, or related processing.
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense R&D environments.
• Strong communication skills including written, verbal and presentation.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to achieve overall project goals and ensure project meets specific requirements.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects by collaborating with team members, leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks, and other activities to ensure that project is successfully executed.
• Communicate with customers, leadership, and other stakeholders of financial projections, technical milestones and project planning to the contract(s) requirements.
• Drive and support company capture and growth opportunities by managing, writing, and providing proposals against topics and solicitations.
• Ensure projects are completed in scope, on time, and within budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Security clearance readiness

Education

Master's degree in materials science/chemistry/engineering

Doctoral degree preferred

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description

The Advanced Research and Development (ARD) Division at AeroVironment (AV) is searching for a technical project manager to help lead the development, advancement, and transition of technologies in support of the Air Force and broader Department of War (DoW). Specifically, this work focuses on providing technical project management for ceramics, composites, ultra-high temperature materials, materials processes, and advanced manufacturing approaches for aircraft, spacecraft, and ground-based systems. The technical project manager will plan and execute programs in support of ARD customers. This role will work with team members, leadership, and other key stakeholders to review requirements, plans, and project cost accounting. Technical project managers will be flexible in providing both project management and technical leadership to meet overarching program objectives and customer requirements. This position will ensure the program achieves its goals and meets our quality standards by effectively communicating and, in turn, drive successful impact for the project, research, and technology. The ideal candidate has a technical background and experience in project management.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to achieve overall project goals and ensure project meets specific requirements.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects by collaborating with the team members, leadership, customers, and other stakeholders as required.
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks, and other activities to ensure that project is successfully executed.
• Communicate with customers, leadership, and other stakeholders of financial projections, technical milestones and project planning to the contract(s) requirements.
• Drive and support company capture and growth opportunities by managing, writing, and providing proposals against topics and solicitations.
• Ensure projects are completed in scope, on time, and within budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

• Master's degree with at least 3 years of experience in material science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with an emphasis on ceramics or ceramic composites.
• At least 1 year of project management experience with early-stage development efforts for defense applications.
• Familiarity with at least one of the following areas: refractory materials, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, additive manufacturing, extreme materials, or the processing of the above materials.
• Familiarity with research, development, testing, and evaluation within aerospace and defense industries.
• Strong communication skills including written, verbal and presentation.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Doctoral Degree in material science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with an emphasis on ceramics, pre-ceramic polymers, or ceramic composites.
• Familiarity with standardized testing methodologies and material characterization approaches
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees.
• Shares ideas and experiences with others, solicits feedback and asks relevant questions.

Location and Hours

On-site Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH Travel required to domestic US sites - up to 10% This position follows a standard 5/40 work schedule Clearance Level Top Secret The salary range for this role is: $106,500 - $181,000 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

The 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.

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 we 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. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Careers at AeroVironment

Careers at AeroVironment