Program Manager - Material Processing

BlueHalo; The Prairies at Wright Field (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment's Advanced Research and Development Division seeks a Technical Project Manager to guide the development, advancement, and transition of ultra-high temperature materials and related processing technologies for air and defense applications.

You will coordinate requirements, plans, and cost accounting across disciplines, providing both project management and technical leadership to meet program objectives and customer needs in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry or related field with 6+ years experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience in early-stage defense development.
• Familiarity with refractory materials, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, additive manufacturing, extreme materials, or processing of above materials.

Responsibilities

• Lead interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to achieve program goals and meet requirements and timelines.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects with team members, leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks, and other activities for multiple projects.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Technical leadership

Defense industry experience

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in materials science/chemical engineering/chemistry

Doctoral degree in materials science/related field

Tools

PMP

Agile

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