Senior Program Manager

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

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Sr. Program Manager to oversee complex programs, manage lifecycle costs, schedules, and technical performance, and mentor other PMs. You will serve as the central point of contact for program activities with internal and external customers.

The role emphasizes leadership across program planning, risk management, and value delivery, with travel up to 20% and a strong focus on meeting business objectives and policy adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering related field.
• 12-15 years of Program Management experience.
• Experience leading teams on advanced technical programs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent programs.
• Knowledge of earned value management and risk mitigation.
• Strong communication with internal and external customers.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Provide PM leadership for program planning and top-down estimates.
• Lead bottom-up cost/schedule estimation with Functional Leads.
• Maintain customer alignment and satisfaction across programs.
• Define and manage program controls and success criteria.
• Identify, analyze, and manage program risks.
• Maintain integrated master schedule and resource allocation.
• Lead program meetings and reviews with customer and executives.
• Develop program plans including budgets and EAC.
• Support business development in bidding and proposals.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Earned Value

Risk Management

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Export Compliance

Government/Commercial Customers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering related field

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

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

Summary

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

Position Responsibilities:

• Working with Product Line Managers (PLMs), 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
• Monitors data across multiple programs establishing correlation. Publishes data to support improvements in product development and customer relations
• Establish, communicate, and manage program priorities
• Manages Programs using integrated, resource-loaded master schedule. Managers 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
• Leads and supports 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 the preparation of cost and technical proposals
• Ensure program execution adheres to Company policies and processes
• Leads Project Manager to produce relevant Program reports
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

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

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Technical Masters degree preferred
• PMI (or equivalent) certification is preferred
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance strongly desired
• Experience managing to Earned Value strongly desired.
• Courageous and a risk taker. A mover and shaker yet collaborative and inclusive of a team approach to results
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel
• Committed to AV Values (Trust & Teamwork, Customer Commitment, Ownership & Results, and 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
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, 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 defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is: $139,000 - $212,000

AeroVironment 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.

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.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.