Senior Program Manager

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 81,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a mid-career Program Manager to lead satellite electronics programs within Space Technologies.

This is a full-time onsite role with responsibilities across planning, budgeting, and risk management to ensure success from development to delivery. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years in aerospace or technical program management, strong communication skills, and the ability to coordinate across groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in aerospace or technical program management.
• Knowledge of PMI/PMBOK standards and DoD clearance requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to coordinate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead top-level program plans and coordinate with leads to execute.
• Support proposal development and manage performance to budget.
• Establish change management processes and negotiate major project parameters.
• Develop project plans and MS Project deliverables meeting requirements.
• Identify and manage risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Manage resources, schedules, and budgets to meet commitments.
• Report status and metrics to leadership and customer.

Skills

Program management

Written and verbal communication

Leadership across teams

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical field

Master’s degree in PM/related field

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

AeroVironment has an immediate opening for a mid-career Program Manager to support satellite electronics programs within Space Technologies Business Unit. AeroVironment provides a full suite of exquisite, space-qualified hardware trusted to fly in the most extreme environments space presents across GEO, MEO, LEO and Cislunar orbits. With hundreds of systems flying in space, our customers turn to AeroVironment when a mission can’t fail. This is a full-time onsite position in Albuquerque, NM.

Responsibilities

Leads development of the top-level plans for a program, coordinating with group leads to develop execution plans. Participates in proposal development in support of additional work scope and manage pre-award performance to budget. Establishes, monitors and integrates change management processes and decisions. Facilitate negotiations involving major project parameters such as deliverable definition and performance objectives (e.g., cost, schedule, quality). Develop project plans utilizing MS Project and define deliverables that meet identified requirements, and customer expectations. Identify and manage project risks, issues and opportunities. Manage all assigned resources including people, facilities, budgets, and schedules to meet performance requirements and commitments. Report on project status and performance metrics to program leadership team and Customer. Ensure project team members’ responsibilities, accountability and authority are clearly documented and understood. Ensure assigned individuals are executing the assigned tasks and provide appropriate tracking and reporting per plan. Performs project management activities in accordance with accepted project management standards in the industry (e.g., PMI, Project Management Body of Knowledge [PMBOK], ANSI, and ISO-standards). Implements customer and program communication and contact plans. Facilitates the resolution of program issues. Works with team to refine specifications and leads programs from development into final product.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of relevant experience within aerospace or a technical field as a project or program manager. Thorough knowledge and proficiency in all project management areas in accordance with Industry project management standards. Ability to lead and direct the activities and resources within and across the organization Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to listen, assimilate, evaluate, and summarize. Sound ability to communicate with the customer at all levels. Knowledge of the Project Lifecycle from requirements definition, proposal preparation and negotiation and project implementation through to completion. Strong initiative in defining, proposing, implementing, and communicating schedule metrics that support informed decision-making. Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Other Qualifications and Desired Competencies

Master’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Works independently with minimal supervision and completes assigned tasks within program schedule and budget 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 Demonstrates effective organizational, problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills. Exhibits teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one’s own interests.

Physical Demands

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

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. Clearance Level No Clearance.

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $80,500 - $123,000

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.

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 Statement

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.

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