Sr. Manager, Depot Repair & Sustaining Operations

AeroVironment, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Sr. Manager to lead the Depot Repair & Sustaining Operations for Class III UAVs. You will establish depot maintenance, sustain engineering interfaces, and global support for defense customers, including U.S. and international end-users.

Applicants should bring deep aerospace/defense maintenance experience with ITAR/EAR compliance, and the ability to drive KPIs, cost controls and continuous improvements across the MRO network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Operations Management, Logistics or Supply Chain or equivalent.
• 10+ years of hands‑on manufacturing experience; 3+ years in a supervisory role.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems and solid grasp of supply chain, inventory and management principles.
• Minimal travel, up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the long-term MRO strategy for Class III UAV product lines.
• Establish the depot-level maintenance organization, staffing, workflows and supporting systems.
• Define and implement service offerings including depot repair, overhaul, upgrades and field return processes.
• Create and maintain MRO policies, standards and procedures for safety, reliability and compliance.
• Lead day-to-day operations of domestic MRO depots, ensuring on-time delivery, cost control and high-quality repairs.
• Build and oversee international MRO capability and governance.
• Implement KPIs for MRO performance and drive continuous improvement using lean/Six Sigma.
• Ensure maintenance complies with military standards, aviation regulations and customer requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace MRO

MRO Strategy

Regulatory compliance

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Worker Type Regular

Job Description Summary: The Sr. Manager of the Depot Repair & Sustaining Operations will build, lead, and scale our enterprise-wide MRO function for Class III unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This role is responsible for establishing and managing depot-level maintenance operations, sustaining engineering interfaces, and global support capabilities for our defense customers, including U.S. and international military end-users. This position requires deep experience in aerospace/defense maintenance operations, strong leadership skills, and the ability to operate in a regulated environment with ITAR, export controls, and other defense-compliance requirements. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring logistics operations such as warehousing, inventory, transportation, and supply chain processes.

Position Responsibilities

• MRO Strategy & Organization: Develop and own the long-term MRO strategy for our Class III UAV product lines, aligned with company growth and customer sustainment needs.
• Establish the depot-level maintenance organization, including structure, staffing, workflows, and supporting systems.
• Define and implement service offerings (e.g., depot repair, overhaul, upgrades, retrofit programs, modification kits, and field return processes).
• Create and maintain MRO policies, standards, and procedures that ensure safety, reliability, and compliance with military and regulatory requirements.
• Operational Leadership: Lead day-to-day operations of domestic MRO depot(s), ensuring on-time delivery, cost control, and high quality of repairs and overhauls.
• Build and oversee international MRO capability (company-operated and/or partner depots), including governance, performance management, and standard work.
• Implement and manage KPIs for MRO performance (TAT, MTTR, readiness rates, cost per repair, quality metrics, etc.).
• Drive continuous improvement in throughput, quality, and cost using lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Technical & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all maintenance and overhaul activities comply with applicable military standards, aviation regulations, company quality standards, and customer requirements.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to maintain configuration control, manage obsolescence, and implement engineering changes into the MRO environment.
• Oversee documentation and records management for all maintenance actions, including traceability, inspection records, and configuration data.
• Maintain strict adherence to ITAR, EAR, and other export-control requirements in all domestic and international MRO operations.
• Customer & Program Support: Serve as the primary senior MRO leader supporting Program Management, Contracts, and Business Development for sustainment-related bids, proposals, and program execution.
• Support lifecycle cost modeling, spares planning, and readiness support strategies for new and existing programs.
• Build strong relationships with key customer stakeholders in logistics, sustainment, and fleet operations.
• People Leadership: Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing depot managers, supervisors, planners, and technicians.
• Create training and certification pathways for maintenance personnel, including technical and regulatory training.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within all MRO teams.
• Prepare the organization for growth, ensuring scalable processes and succession planning as domestic and international operations expand.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Operations Management, Logistics or Supply Chain is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 10+ years of hands‑on manufacturing experience; At least 3+ years in a supervisory role.
• Experienced using MRP/ERP systems and firm grasp of supply chain, inventory, distribution, business, and management principles.
• Minimal travel, up to 10%.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Works well independently and handling multiple projects.
• Is perceptive in identifying problems and providing solutions.
• Demonstrates strong communication, active listening, judgement, decision‑making, critical thinking, complex problem‑solving, and presentation skills.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills.
• Works well within a team, with other managers, team leads, and employees.
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision‑making style based on the situational circumstances.
• Inspires, motivates and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees.
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision.
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to frequently use hand tools (e.g. clamps) using light, minimal force.
• Regularly required to sit for long periods and occasionally stand for short periods.
• Frequently lift and/or carry objects of small size between 2lbs and 5lbs.
• Frequently required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and balance.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds and handling varying sizes and shapes of parts.
• Compliance with safety standards and guidelines.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary range

The salary range for this role is: $141,000 - $215,000 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.

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 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.

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.

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