Senior Compensation Analyst

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Senior Compensation Analyst to design, analyze, and execute market-competitive pay programs. You will act as a trusted advisor, shaping compensation frameworks and guiding data-driven decisions across the organization to align pay with business goals and market realities.

You will help develop new policies, lead annual planning, and partner with HR and leadership to ensure equity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in compensation practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in HR, Business, Finance or related field.
• Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred.
• CCP Certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support Compensation Strategy & Program Design, including salary structures and pay frameworks.
• Lead annual compensation planning and market benchmarking for assigned groups.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, pay equity laws, and governance frameworks.

Skills

Data analytics

Cross-functional influence

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance or related field

Advanced degree (MBA or MS) preferred

CCP Certification

Tools

Workday

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe Senior Compensation Analyst will assist in the design, analysis, and execution of market competitive, equitable compensation programs. This role will serve as a trusted expert and advisor – guiding data-driven decisions, shaping compensation frameworks, and partnering across the organization to align pay practices with business goals and market realities. The Senior Compensation Analyst will help develop new compensation policies and practices to support retention and employee engagement aligned with AV's overall strategy.Position ResponsibilitiesSupport Compensation Strategy & Program DesignDevelop and maintain robust salary structures, job levelling, and internal pay frameworks.Assist with the design and implement policies for base pay, bonuses, long-term incentives, and promotions that balance equity, compliance, and market competitiveness.Lead the annual compensation planning cycle for assigned business group.Serve as an advisor for compensation-related decisions that impact hiring, retention, and workforce planning.Market Intelligence & AnalysisConduct in-depth market benchmarking and compensation surveys to ensure market competitiveness.Lead internal pay equity reviews, identifying gaps and recommending actionable solutions.Monitor industry trends and emerging compensation practices.Provide insights and recommendations based on labor market data and business needs.Ensure Compliance & Drive GovernanceEnsure all compensation programs align with legal requirements (FLSA, pay equity laws, transparency regulations, etc.).Maintain clear, well-documented compensation policies and governance frameworks.Support internal audits, regulatory reporting, and compensation reviews.Lead on pay equity and transparency.Partner & Influence Across the BusinessLead job levelling processes for assigned business group.Collaborate with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and Leadership to guide compensation decisions.Translate complex data into compelling stories and actionable recommendations.Other duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)Bachelor’s degree required in HR, Business, Finance or a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred.CCP Certification is a plusMinimum of 5 years of hands-on compensation experience required.Other Qualifications & Desired CompetenciesAdvanced data and predictive analytics skills, with experience using Excel, Power BI and Workday including Advanced CompProven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and support strategic decision-making.High level of integrity, sound judgment, and discretion when dealing with sensitive compensation matters.Excellent written and verbal communication skills—with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).Works well with little supervision and exercises independent judgement on a regular basis.Ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of technical information concerning specific projects or schedules.Strong grasp of compensation laws, internal equity principles, and market pricing.Physical DemandsAbility 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)May require travel to sites/program and special functions.Clearance LevelNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:$93,000 - $141,750AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.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.Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.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.ITARU.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.