Program Manager II – Sustaining

AV; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV is seeking a Program Manager II to execute company programs, controlling cost, schedule, and technical performance. You will oversee the program life-cycle and act as the main point of contact for internal and external customers, ensuring alignment and success across multiple initiatives.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage budgets and risks, lead reviews, and support business development in bidding and proposals. Some travel (up to 20%) is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering related field required.
• Minimum 5–8 years of Program Management experience.
• Proven track record running multiple, successful projects.
• Experience managing firm fixed price programs and risk plans.
• Interface effectively with internal teams, government and commercial customers.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; ability to use Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Project.
• Some travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Manage program life-cycle and execution across cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Serve as central point of contact for one or more programs for internal and external customers.
• Define, implement, and manage program controls and success criteria.
• Identify, analyze, and manage program-level risk.
• Coordinate and align project teams and inter-dependencies.
• Establish and communicate program priorities and status to stakeholders.
• Lead program meetings and reviews with customers and executive staff.
• Develop and maintain program plans including budget, EAC, and resources.
• Support creation and maintenance of product requirements; advise on scope changes.
• Assist Business Development with bidding and capturing opportunities; support cost/technical proposals.

Job description

Job Description

The Program Manager (PM) II is responsible for the execution of company programs including cost, schedule, and technical performance. The PM oversees program life-cycle and manages all activities necessary to meet business goals and objectives. Acting as the central focal point and authority for one or more Programs' execution, the PM provides a single point of contact for program activities to both internal and external customers

Worker Type

Regular

Summary

The Program Manager (PM) II is responsible for the execution of company programs including cost, schedule, and technical performance. The PM oversees program life-cycle and manages all activities necessary to meet business goals and objectives. Acting as the central focal point and authority for one or more Programs' execution, the PM provides a single point of contact for program activities to both internal and external customers

Position Responsibilities

• Management of the program throughout the program's life-cycle
• Ensures customer alignment and manage overall customer satisfaction
• Definition, implementation, and management of program controls and success criteria
• Identify, analyze, and manage all program-level risk
• Coordinates and aligns project teams and their inter-dependencies
• Establishes, communicates, and manages program priorities
• Aligns and informs stakeholders of program's status and health
• Leads program meetings and program reviews with the customer and executive staff
• Develop and maintain program plans including budget, Estimate at Completion (EAC), resource allocation, and communications
• Support the creation and maintenance of product requirements
• Manages potential changes in program scope and advise leadership and customer of potential impact
• Actively support the Business Development team in bidding and capturing opportunities
• Assists and/or coordinates the preparation of cost and technical proposals. Ensures adherence to Company policies and processes
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 5 - 8 years of experience in Program Management
• Proven track record of running multiple, successful projects
• Managing firm fixed price programs and developing risk management & mitigation plans
• Experience in a highly technical environment
• Deep knowledge of Project Management methods, tools and processes
• Must be able to interface effectively with internal teams as well as government and commercial customers
• Basic familiarity with use and application of export licenses for the export of military products to foreign countries
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Project)
• Some travel required (up to 20%)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• PMI (or equivalent) certification is preferred
• Experience with Unmanned Aircraft Systems is preferred
• Managing of International (ex-US) programs is desired
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance strongly desired
• Ability to work independently and interface with cross-functional disciplines
• A strong communicator able to articulate vision/mission to team
• Courageous and a risk taker. A mover and shaker yet collaborative and inclusive of a team approach to results
• Committed to AV Values (Trust & Teamwork, Customer Commitment, Ownership & Results, and Innovate & Simplify) and emulates these values in all actions
• Other competencies: Strong verbal and written skills; analytical and strategic thinking ability; leadership skills; very strong work ethic as well as honesty, trustworthiness and high integrity
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

Physical Demands

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

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$64,500 - $98,250

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.

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. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.