Senior Program Manager

AV; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 212,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

9/80 schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV in Moorpark, CA is seeking a Sr. Program Manager to oversee complex programs, manage cost, schedule, and scope, and mentor other PMs. You will act as the central authority for program execution and be the single point of contact for internal and external customers.

The role requires leading cross‑functional teams, managing risk, developing IMS, and supporting business development in bids. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering or equivalent
• Minimum 12–15 years in Program Management
• Experience leading advanced technical development programs and/or systems-of-systems
• Proven track record of leading multiple concurrent programs
• Experience managing firm fixed-price programs and risk mitigation
• Strong knowledge of PM methods, tools, and processes
• Interfaces effectively with internal teams, government and commercial customers
• Knowledge of export license requirements for military exports
• Proficient with MS Office (MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong communication skills and ability to articulate vision/mission
• Committed to AV values and team-oriented culture
• Willingness to travel up to 20%

Responsibilities

• Lead program planning, top‑down requirements, and cost/schedule estimation for complex programs
• Provide PM leadership for bottom‑up cost/schedule/scope estimation and IMS development
• Ensure customer alignment and manage overall satisfaction
• Develop and manage program controls and success criteria
• Identify and manage program‑level risks
• Publish data to support improvements in product development and customer relations
• Establish and communicate program priorities
• Manage programs with an integrated, resource‑loaded master schedule
• Lead program meetings and reviews with the customer and executives
• Develop program plans including budget, EAC, resources, and communications
• Lead and support creation/maintenance of product requirements
• Manage changes in program scope and inform leadership and customers
• Support Business Development in bidding and capturing opportunities
• Oversee preparation of cost and technical proposals
• Ensure execution adheres to company policies and processes
• Lead Project Managers in producing program reports
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

PM leadership

Stakeholder comms

Risk management

Office tools

Travel flexibility

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Job Description

The Sr. Program Manager (PM) oversees 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 required to meet program development requirements and business objectives, and mentors other Program Managers. Acting as the central focal point and authority for program execution, the Senior PM provides a single point of contact for program activities to both internal and external customers.

Worker Type

Regular

Position Responsibilities

• Working with Product Line Managers, 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.
• 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.
• Monitor data across multiple programs establishing correlation. Publish data to support improvements in product development and customer relations.
• Establish, communicate, and manage program priorities.
• Manage programs using integrated, resource‑loaded master schedule. Allocate 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.
• Lead and support 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 preparation of cost and technical proposals.
• Ensure program execution adheres to company policies and processes.
• Lead Project Manager to produce relevant program reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering related field 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.
• 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 export license requirements for the export of military products to foreign countries.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Strong communicator able to articulate vision/mission to team.
• Other competencies: strong verbal and written skills; analytical and strategic thinking; leadership skills; strong work ethic, honesty, trustworthiness and high integrity.
• Some travel required (up to 20%).

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Technical Masters degree preferred.
• PMI (or equivalent) certification preferred.
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance strongly desired.
• Experience managing Earned Value strongly desired.
• Courageous and a risk‑taker; collaborative and inclusive of a team approach.
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel.
• Committed to AV values (Trust & Teamwork, Customer Commitment, Ownership & Results, 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.
• Committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve performance of self, others and the company.

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).

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as required by law.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary Range

$139,000 – $212,000

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). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and/or EAR, or be approved for an export license. U.S. Citizenship is required for some positions due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule, and a paid holiday shutdown.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer Statement

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veteran applicants. 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.