Technical Program Manager – Advanced Materials (Defense)

Videoray; The Prairies at Wright Field (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment's Advanced Research and Development (ARD) Division seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead programs advancing ceramics, composites, polymers, metals, and ultra-high temperature materials for the Air Force and broader DoW. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, review requirements, and manage cost accounting across activities.

The role combines project management with technical leadership, ensuring milestones, quality, and on-time delivery. Travel up to 10% may be required; U.S.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in materials science or related field with 6+ years in the area
• At least 3 years of project management experience in defense applications
• Familiarity with refractory materials, ceramics, CMCs, additive manufacturing, or related processing
• Experience in aerospace/defense R&D, testing, and evaluation
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to achieve program goals
• Plan, execute, monitor, and control projects with team members, leadership, customers, and stakeholders
• Manage resources, budgets, costs, time, quality, risks across multiple projects
• Communicate financial projections, milestones, and planning to contract requirements
• Serve as a key resource for customers, technical team, and leadership to ensure quality and risk management
• Drive and support capture and growth opportunities by writing proposals against topics
• Ensure projects are completed in scope, on time, and within budget
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Master's degree in materials science or related field

Doctoral degree in materials science or related field (preferred)

Tools

Project Management Certification (PMP, Agile, or other)

Job description

AeroVironment's Advanced Research and Development (ARD) Division seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead programs advancing ceramics, composites, polymers, metals, and ultra-high temperature materials for the Air Force and broader DoW. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, review requirements, and manage cost accounting across activities.

The role combines project management with technical leadership, ensuring milestones, quality, and on-time delivery. Travel up to 10% may be required; U.S.