Senior Program Manager

AeroVironment, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 180,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Senior Program Manager (level 3) to lead a large federal contract focused on building and maintaining custom applications for MPO.

The role spans finance, security, contracts and technical delivery, interfacing with the COR and other customer stakeholders. The ideal candidate has 15+ years managing programs/contracts for the Federal Government, 5+ years in the Intelligence Community, and a current PMP.

Qualifications

• Active TS clearance with polygraph required.
• 15 years’ experience managing programs and contracts for the Federal Government.
• At least 5 years in the Intelligence Community.
• 1 year of Earned Value Management experience.
• PMP certification held.
• Experience managing multi‑task contracts and multi‑vendor environments.
• Location work in Annapolis Junction; limited telework.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of program management including Finance, Security, Contracts and technical delivery.
• Coordinate with Deputy PM, TTO Leads, and Technical Leads for contract delivery.
• Allocate resources (staffing, facilities, budgets) on the contract.
• Draft and coordinate the contract transition plan.
• Review and approve earned value, ETC, funds and manhour reports.
• Manage risk and allocate budgets for risk mitigation.
• Prepare program status reviews for the COR.
• Ensure cross‑discipline integration to meet Government needs.
• Recruit and train program staff; ensure timely reporting and compliance.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

PMP certification

Program management

Federal government experience

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Senior Program Manager Summary AV is seeking a proven Senior Program Manager level 3 to lead a large contract that focuses on building and maintaining custom applications for MPO. Responsibilities include leading all aspects of Program Management to include Finance, Security, Contracts and technical delivery and liaising with all customer stakeholders including the Contracts Officer (CO) and Contracts Officer Representative (COR).

Position Responsibilities

• Manage and work closely with the Deputy Program Manager Technical Task Order (TTO) Leads, and Technical Leads, to provide effective and efficient management of the contractor’s effort.
• Allocate resources (staffing, facilities, and budgets) on the contract.
• Help draft and coordinate the contract transition plan.
• Review and propose the Integrated Program Baseline (or resource loaded schedule) to the Government.
• Review and approve all earned value, Estimate to Complete, Funds and Manhour Expenditure Report, or other financial reports as appropriate.
• Review risk and risk mitigation activities and allocate budgets for the same.
• Prepare program status reviews and other formal reviews to be presented to the COR.
• Review and allocate management reserve within contractual limits.
• Ensure the timely recruitment and training of program staff – both direct and indirect.
• Review all financial and technical reports before release to the Government.
• Ensure cross‑discipline integration within the contract to meet Government needs.
• Communicate issues and solutions to the COR in a timely and transparent manner.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and administrative requirements imposed by the contract in coordination with the Contractor’s contracts staff.
• Allocate resources (staffing, facilities, and budgets) on the contract.
• Assist the Government by providing input to statutory acquisition reports and responses to Congressional Questions for the Record (QFRs).
• Coordinate the preparation of deliverables and track invoicing, milestones, etc.
• Provide Contractor input to and track quarterly reviews, annual self‑assessments, or Award Fee scores, as appropriate.
• Ability to manage up and down an organization.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance with Polygraph is required.
• 15 years’ experience managing programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity within the Federal Government is required (+300 Full-Time Employees (FTEs).
• Five (5) years must be within the Intelligence Community.
• One (1) year of demonstrated experience in the management and control of funds and resources using Earned Value Management principles and techniques to measure project performance and progress.
• Active PMP certification.
• Demonstrated experience managing a PMO such as conducting requirements analysis, resource allocation, project costing, deliverable tracking, schedule and financial data monitoring, and reporting.
• Knowledgeable of the guidelines provided by the FAR and DFAR, DoD 5000 series, and ICD 801 policies.
• Direct experience in managing multi‑task contracts and subcontracts of various types and complexity, as well as experience in leading a multi‑vendor environment is required.
• Location Work performed in the Annapolis Junction area. Must be able to enter government buildings. Limited telework available.
• Salary Range $180,000 - $265,000

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract‑specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data. Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well‑being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

ITAR Requirement

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 will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their 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.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine‑launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand‑launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real‑time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

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 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