Vice President & Product Line GM

AeroVironment, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 246,000 - 393,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401(k) with company match

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a VP & Product Line General Manager to lead the Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems product line, directing strategy, pricing, and investment decisions.

The role oversees bookings, customer satisfaction, and profitability while coordinating with AV’s broader leadership for synergies and company-wide strategy. The successful candidate will manage a multi-disciplinary team, drive the annual operating plan and five-year plan, and ensure execution of the product roadmaps

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience including UAS/military market knowledge.
• Experience with product roadmapping, R&D, and sustainment activities.
• Experience managing a department or project budget and driving results.

Responsibilities

• Own Orders, Pricing, Investment allocation, and P&L for the MUAS product line.
• Report financial drivers and market dynamics in business reviews.
• Lead annual and 5-year operating plans and coordinate with other leaders.

Skills

UAS domain knowledge

P&L management

Product line leadership

Strategic planning

Pricing strategy

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Executive stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Advanced degree desired

Tools

MS Office

PMO tools

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe VP & Product Line General Manager leads the business for the Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MUAS) Product Line (PL) Organization and is chartered with its stewardship and growth. The PLGM has overall accountability for PL’s bookings, P&L, customer satisfaction, product pricing, investment allocations, and product road-maps. The PLGM supervises a core team of direct reports with the balance of resources assigned from AV’s functions.DutiesOwn Orders, Pricing, Investment allocation, customer satisfaction and Profit & Loss for the product line.Report financial drivers, customer and market dynamics in business reviews.Lead development of the annual operating plan (AOP) and 5 years plan for the Product Line and collaborate with other leaders on synergies and strategy.Support the development of strategy at the company level.Model AV’s values and leadership competencies.Manage prioritization and trade-offs among projects to effectively manage our technology portfolio, achieve a balance of capabilities products, and address resource needsCreate buy-in for the product/technology vision both internally and with key customersLead budgeting for product line R&D, sustaining activities and other investments core to or in support of the product line.Own pricing decisions and evaluate opportunities to support current and future business. Approve bid / no bid and pricing gate reviews for all new business opportunities.Assess product and project risks and provide feedback risk mitigation and contingency plans developed by PMO and Engineering.Establish, track and analyze product line performance metrics and take action to address issues and/or opportunitiesLead with rapid agility to deal with shifting priorities, demands, and timelinesIdentify and manage organizational and/or customer conflictsComprehend and improve relevant development processes, and ensure adherenceOther duties as assignedExperience10+ years relevant experience including extensive first-hand knowledge of UAS military marketUnderstanding of emerging commercial verticals with particular emphasis on the emerging enterprise (B2B) segments include infrastructure inspection, security, agriculture and related.Working knowledge of UAS airworthiness certification process with FAA and other worldwide bodies for both military and civil applicationsExperience in product road mapping, R&D, and product sustainment activitiesExperience with business development and sales with Defense products and customersExperience managing a department or project budgetDisplay a proven track record of taking ownership and driving results - self-start and self-directedAbility to travel both domestically and internationally up to 25% of the timeWorking knowledge of AeroVironment’s systems and products and a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneouslyEducationBachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline or related/relevant field or combination of education and experience.Additional RequirementsAdvance Degree is desiredDemonstrates strong computer skills and proficiency with office software, productivity tools and other software tools on one’s area of expertiseExperienced and comfortable with presenting to executive leadershipDisplay strong critical thinking skills, demonstrated ability to analyze and break down problems into componentsAbility to work on problems of complex scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercise judgment, strategic thinking, and best practices to determine appropriate action, yet also creatively thinks outside the box to find solutions to never-solved problemsExcellent verbal and written communication skills.Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstancesInspires, motivates and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employeesChampions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation, while helping others deal with the effects of changeDemonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationshipsHas effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Consistently demonstrates teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interestsPhysical DemandsAbility to work in an office environment (Constant)Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Constant)Special RequirementsU.S. Citizenship required with the ability to obtain government security clearanceClearance LevelSecretThe salary range for this role is:$245,500 - $393,000AeroVironment 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: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.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