Public Relations Specialist, Media Intelligence

AeroVironment, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Arlington, VA is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to support media relations, monitoring, rapid-response communications and storytelling across the enterprise.

You will help identify opportunities, develop media outreach and messaging around programs, executive travel and events. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in media relations, a strong news sense, excellent writing, and the ability to work quickly under tight deadlines while managing multiple projects in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, international relations or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in media relations, communications, journalism, public affairs, government affairs or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the news cycle and demonstrated interest in national security, defense or technology.
• Excellent research, writing and organizational skills.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under deadline.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects.
• Ability to identify newsworthy angles and translate complex information into clear communications products.

Responsibilities

• Monitor national security, defense, aerospace, technology, policy and business news for issues relevant to AV.
• Identify real-time opportunities for proactive media engagement based on breaking news and emerging trends.
• Develop media pitches, reporter lists, background materials and supporting research.
• Assist with development of messaging, talking points, Q&As, briefing cards and media preparation materials.
• Track AV media coverage and identify trends, opportunities and potential reputational issues.
• Support press release development and distribution.
• Research reporters, outlets, podcasts, broadcast programs and other media opportunities.
• Build PR plans around executive travel, customer events, demonstrations, conferences and trade shows.
• Coordinate with government relations and other internal teams to identify relevant Hill, policy and national security communications opportunities.
• Maintain media lists, engagement records and communications calendars.
• Support media logistics for interviews, briefing, events and facility visits.
• Assist senior communications leaders with rapid-response and crisis communications.
• Develop routine media intelligence reports and summaries for communications and company leadership.

Skills

Media relations

News monitoring

Rapid-response communications

Storytelling

Research

Writing

Deadline management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations related field

Master's degree in communications/public relations related field

Tools

Media monitoring platforms

Job description

Public Relations Specialist

AV is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to support media relations, news monitoring, rapid-response communications and proactive storytelling across the enterprise. This role will help the communications team identify emerging news opportunities, develop media outreach, support messaging and build communications plans around company programs, announcements, executive travel and external events. The ideal candidate is highly tuned into the national security and technology news environment, understands how the media cycle works and can quickly identify where AV has a relevant voice or story.

Position Responsibilities

• Monitor national security, defense, aerospace, technology, policy and business news for issues relevant to AV.
• Identify real-time opportunities for proactive media engagement based on breaking news and emerging trends.
• Develop media pitches, reporter lists, background materials and supporting research.
• Assist with development of messaging, talking points, Q&As, briefing cards and media preparation materials.
• Track AV media coverage and identify trends, opportunities and potential reputational issues.
• Support press release development and distribution.
• Research reporters, outlets, podcasts, broadcast programs and other media opportunities.
• Build PR plans around executive travel, customer events, demonstrations, conferences and trade shows.
• Coordinate with government relations and other internal teams to identify relevant Hill, policy and national security communications opportunities.
• Maintain media lists, engagement records and communications calendars.
• Support media logistics for interviews, briefings, events and facility visits.
• Assist senior communications leaders with rapid-response and crisis communications.
• Develop routine media intelligence reports and summaries for communications and company leadership.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, international relations or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in media relations, communications, journalism, public affairs, government affairs or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the news cycle and demonstrated interest in national security, defense or technology.
• Excellent research, writing and organizational skills.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under deadline.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects.
• Ability to identify newsworthy angles and translate complex information into clear communications products.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Masters degree in communications, public relations, political science, international affairs, or related field.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, government, Capitol Hill, military public affairs or national security communications.
• Familiarity with defense and national security media.
• Experience using media monitoring and analytics platforms.
• Experience supporting executives, government officials or senior leaders.
• Knowledge of congressional, Pentagon and defense‑industry communications environments.

Physical Demands

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

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary Range

$93,000 - $141,750

Information Security

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

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown

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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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