Program Manager, Sr.

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Program Manager to oversee complex programs, manage scope, cost, and schedule, and mentor other PMs. You will serve as the central point of contact for customers and internal teams, ensuring program success from planning through execution.

The role demands extensive experience in defense or complex tech programs, cost estimating, risk management, and strong communication. A security clearance is highly desirable; travel up to 20% is possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering or equivalent.
• 12–15 years of Program Management experience.
• Experience leading teams on complex technical programs.
• Experience with CRAD development under OTA or FAR15 desirable.
• PMI (or equivalent) certification preferred.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide PM leadership for complex program planning and top-down estimates.
• Lead bottom-up cost/schedule/scope estimation and IMS development.
• Own contractual deliverables and performance metrics.
• Ensure customer alignment and satisfaction across programs.
• Manage program controls, risks, and change impacts.
• Lead program reviews with customer and executives.
• Develop and maintain program plans, including budget and EAC.
• Support business development in bidding and capture.

Skills

PM leadership

Leadership

Risk management

Communication

Stakeholder mgmt

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering

Technical Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

Earned Value Management tools

Export control knowledge (ITAR/EAR)

Job description

Job Summary

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Sr. Program Manager (PM) oversees the execution of complex programs or multiple related programs, including cost, schedule, and scope/technical performance. The Senior PM manages the program life-cycle, all activities necessary to meet program development requirements and business objectives, and acts as mentor to other Program Managers. Acting as the central focal point and authority for their program execution, the Senior PM provides a single point of contact for program activities to both internal and external customers.

Position Responsibilities

• Working with Product Line Managers (PLMs), provide PM leadership in the development of program planning, top-down requirements definition, and cost/schedule/scope estimating for complex programs


• Working with Functional Leads, provide PM leadership for bottom-up cost/schedule/scope estimation, resource planning and IMS development for complex programs


• Accountable for all contractual deliverables (including SOW capabilities, CDRLs, etc,) within approved funded level and within defined period of performance.


• Accountable to the Business Area on program performance metrics and execution profit margin


• Ensure customer alignment and manage internal and external overall customer satisfaction


• Definition, implementation, and management of program controls and success criteria


• Identify, analyze, and manage all program-level risk


• Monitors data across multiple programs establishing correlation. Publishes data to support improvements in product development and customer relations


• Establish, communicate, and manage program priorities


• Manages Programs using integrated, resource-loaded master schedule. Managers resources and priorities based on risk and program critical path


• Lead 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


• Leads and supports the creation and maintenance of product requirements


• Manage potential changes in program scope and advise leadership and customer of potential impact


• Actively support the Business Development team in bidding and capturing opportunities


• Oversee the preparation of cost and technical proposals


• Ensure program execution adheres to Company policies and processes


• Leads Project Manager to produce relevant Program reports


• 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 12 - 15 years of experience in Program Management


• Experience leading teams on advanced technical development programs and/or technical systems-of-systems development programs.


• Experience managing CRAD development programs under an OTA or FAR15 contract highly desirable


• Proven track record of leading multiple, concurrent programs


• Experienced managing firm fixed price programs and developing risk management & mitigation plans


• Strong knowledge of Project Management methods, tools and processes


• Must be able to interface effectively with internal teams as well as government and commercial customers


• Knowledge of use and application of export licenses for the export of military products to foreign countries


• Proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc)


• A strong communicator able to articulate vision/mission to team


• Strong verbal and written skills; analytical and strategic thinking ability; leadership skills; very strong work ethic as well as honesty, trustworthiness and high integrity

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Technical Masters degree preferred


• PMI (or equivalent) certification is preferred


• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance strongly desired


• Experience managing to Earned Value strongly desired.


• Courageous and a risk taker.


• A mover and shaker yet collaborative and inclusive of a team approach to results


• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel


• Committed to AV Values (Trust & Teamwork, Customer Commitment, Ownership & Results, and Innovate & Simplify) and emulates these values in all actions


• 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

Travel

Some travel required (up to 20%)

Special Requirements

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required. Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. Clearance Level Secret

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is: $111,000 - $169,250

Benefits

• medical


• dental vision


• 401K with company matching


• a 9/80 work schedule


• a paid holiday shutdown

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

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.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.

ITAR & Clearance Requirements

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.

Physical Demands

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)

About AV

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.

Careers at AeroVironment