Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs

AeroVironment•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

The Product Line Director (PLD) for the LOCUST family of Directed Energy systems is responsible for overall product line ownership, management of production programs, program execution, and lifecycle management across the LOCUST portfolio. This role serves as the business and execution lead for LOCUST programs, partnering closely with the Technical Product Line Director, and chief engineering team to drive the technical roadmap while ensuring disciplined execution from concept development through production, fielding, and sustainment. The PLD is accountable for program performance, cost, schedule, risk, and customer satisfaction, and acts as the primary interface between customers, internal engineering teams, supply chain, finance, and senior leadership. This position plays a critical role in scaling directed energy capabilities into operational systems for U.S. Government customers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field
10+ years of experience in defense programs, product line management, or program management
Demonstrated experience leading directed energy, advanced weapons, or complex defense systems
Strong working knowledge of EACs, program financials, earned value concepts, and execution metrics
Experience working directly with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and/or other government customers
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams delivering complex, mission-critical systems
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-energy laser (HEL) or counter-UAS systems
Background supporting rapid prototyping, fielding, and operational test events
Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways, OTAs, rapid capability offices, and transition-to-program-of-record efforts

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end execution of the LOCUST product line across all phases of the program lifecycle: capture, development, integration, production, fielding, and sustainment
Serve as the primary programmatic authority for LOCUST programs, accountable for cost, schedule, technical performance, and delivery commitments
Partner with the Technical Product Line Director to align technical roadmap, architecture decisions, and capability evolution with customer requirements and business strategy
Lead cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs) including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, and finance
Develop, manage, and execute program budgets, EACs, forecasts, and margin performance
Ensure disciplined program controls, risk management, and change management across contracts
Drive affordability, scalability, and producibility initiatives aligned with customer acquisition strategies
Support pricing strategies, proposal development, and negotiation for new programs, follow-ons, and production options
Act as a senior customer interface for LOCUST programs with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and other DoD and interagency stakeholders
Support customer engagements including design reviews, program reviews, test events, fielding activities, and operational demonstrations
Translate evolving customer CONOPS and mission needs into executable program plans and product enhancements
Represent the LOCUST product line in internal and external executive-level forums
Drive transition from development to production, including supply chain readiness, manufacturing scale-up, and quality assurance
Oversee sustainment planning, field support, spares, upgrades, and lifecycle cost reduction efforts
Ensure alignment with modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and long-term sustainment strategies
Support deployed systems with responsiveness and operational urgency