Sr. Program Manager, Space Technologies

AV; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 80,500 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AV in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead multidisciplinary teams delivering hardware for space electronics. This on-site, full-time role reports to the Space Technologies Business Unit and requires coordinating engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain across complex programs.

The candidate should have 8–12 years of program management experience, knowledge of PMI/ISO standards, and proficiency with MS Project, Jira, and GitLab. Some travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 8–12 years of experience managing large-scale programs.
• Deep understanding of project management methodologies and risk mitigation.
• Knowledge of the project lifecycle from requirements through to completion.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influence without authority.
• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and program tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver hardware for space electronics programs.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across engineering, systems, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans with critical path analysis and risk mitigation.
• Serve as primary contact between team, product lead, and stakeholders.
• Oversee requirements, architecture, design reviews, verification, and validation.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Jira

GitLab

Communication

Risk management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Jira

GitLab

Job description

Position Overview

AV has an immediate opening for a Senior Technical Program Manager to support laser communications programs within the Space Technologies Business Unit. This role is full‑time and on‑site in Albuquerque, NM. The Senior Technical Program Manager will lead multidisciplinary teams to successfully design and deliver hardware for space electronics programs.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to successfully design and deliver hardware for space electronics programs.
• Coordinate cross‑functional activities across engineering, systems, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, identifying critical path activities and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the team, product lead, and external/internal stakeholders.
• Oversee requirements definition, system architecture, design reviews, verification, and validation processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable space, aerospace, or defense standards and customer specifications.
• Perform project management activities in accordance with accepted project management standards in the industry (e.g., PMI, Project Management Body of Knowledge, ANSI, and ISO standards).
• Monitor performance and progress using appropriate tools and metrics to report status to management.
• Facilitate clear communication across all team members, ensuring effective collaboration and timely decision‑making.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure team members’ responsibilities, accountability and authority are clearly documented and understood and individuals are executing to the plan.
• Support resource allocation, budget tracking and identify, document and manage project risks, issues and opportunities.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget for assigned control accounts, negotiate scope of work.
• Develop, implement, and manage corrective actions at the activity level while maintaining baseline integrity.
• Establish, monitor and integrate change management processes and decisions.
• Facilitate negotiations involving major project parameters such as deliverable definition and performance objectives (e.g., cost, schedule, quality).
• All other relevant duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 8–12 years of experience managing large‑scale programs, with a proven track record in leading complex, multi‑million‑dollar programs.
• Deep understanding of project management methodologies, organizational change management principles, and developing risk management & mitigation plans.
• Knowledge of the Project Lifecycle from requirements definition, proposal preparation and negotiation, and project implementation through to completion.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and influence without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and other program management tools (e.g., Jira, Gitlab).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to listen, assimilate, evaluate, and summarize. Sound ability to communicate with the customer at all levels.
• Strong initiative in defining, proposing, implementing, and communicating schedule metrics that support informed decision‑making.
• Some travel required (~20%).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Physical Demands

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

Special Requirements

U.S. Citizen required.

Clearance Level

No Clearance.

Salary Range

$80,500 – $123,000.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information subject to compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology falls under its jurisdiction. Some positions may require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

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

EEO 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.