Program Manager - Material Processing

Videoray; The Prairies at Wright Field (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment's Advanced Research and Development (ARD) Division seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead programs advancing ceramics, composites, polymers, metals, and ultra-high temperature materials for the Air Force and broader DoW. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, review requirements, and manage cost accounting across activities.

The role combines project management with technical leadership, ensuring milestones, quality, and on-time delivery. Travel up to 10% may be required; U.S.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in materials science or related field with 6+ years in the area
• At least 3 years of project management experience in defense applications
• Familiarity with refractory materials, ceramics, CMCs, additive manufacturing, or related processing
• Experience in aerospace/defense R&D, testing, and evaluation
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to achieve program goals
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects with team members, leadership, customers, and stakeholders
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks across multiple projects
• Communicate financial projections, milestones, and planning to contract requirements
• Serve as a key resource for customers, technical team, and leadership to ensure quality and risk management
• Drive and support capture and growth opportunities by writing proposals against topics
• Ensure projects are completed in scope, on time, and within budget
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Master's degree in materials science or related field

Doctoral degree in materials science or related field (preferred)

Tools

Project Management Certification (PMP, Agile, or other)

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 development of ceramics, composites, polymers, metals, and other ultra-high temperature materials and the processing, manufacturing, and testing of above materials.

The technical program 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 across multiple disciplines. Technical program managers will be flexible in providing both project management and technical leadership to meet overarching program objectives and customer requirements across a diverse range of technical efforts. This position will ensure the projects achieve their goals and meet our quality standards by effectively communicating and, in turn, driving successful impact for the program, 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 program goals and ensure projects meet specific requirements and timelines.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects by collaborating with the team members, leadership, customers, project managers, and other stakeholders as required.
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks, and other activities to ensure that multiple projects are successfully executed.
• Communicate with customers, leadership, and other stakeholders of financial projections, technical milestones and project planning to the contract(s) requirements.
• Serve as a key resource for customers, technical team, project managers, and leadership to ensure projects are executed at the level of quality, manage risks, and provide mentorship to employees.
• 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 6 years of experience in material science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with an emphasis on polymers, formulations, ceramics, metals, and composites.
• At least 3 years of project management experience with 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

Preferred Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Doctoral Degree in material science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with an emphasis on polymers, formulations, ceramics, metals, and composites.
• Project Management certification (PMP, Agile, or other recognized certification).
• Direct experience supporting the government in developing and transitioning technologies within the defense ecosystem.
• Familiarity with technology, manufacturing, and integration readiness levels.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties across multi disciplines in ceramic, polymers, testing, and metals.
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers teams and 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, Hours and Citizenship Requirements

• 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
• U.S. Citizenship required