RF CUAS Multi Sensor Systems Program Director

AeroVironment

3d

About The Position

The RF Counter‑Unmanned Aerial Systems (C‑UAS) Multi‑Sensor Systems Program Director is a recognized Project and Program Management leader responsible for the successful planning, execution, financial performance, and lifecycle management of complex, multi‑year development and production programs. This role oversees a portfolio of RF‑enabled and sensor‑driven C‑UAS solutions and serves as a key interface to internal leadership, customers, and strategic industry partners. Reporting to the RF C‑UAS Division Deputy and working in a matrixed environment with the Product Line Owner, Chief Engineer, Account Manager, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain, the Program Director leads cross‑functional teams to ensure that program objectives, customer commitments, and business goals are met. The Program Director consistently uses historic program and project data to drive decisions, defines and improves project management policies, tools, and processes, and mentors other program and project managers across the organization. The role requires deep experience in large, complex program management (5+ concurrent projects), strong financial and forecasting acumen, and the ability to define methods for data collection and analysis at an organizational level. Other program expectations of creating and managing a 24/7 call support center, on-time flyout support, and regional FSR, installation and training requirements. A solid understanding of multi‑sensor C‑UAS systems—including radar, RF detection, EO/IR, and command‑and‑control (C2) integration—is necessary to effectively manage cost, schedule, performance, and risk while maintaining strong customer trust and satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (e.g., Electrical, Systems, Mechanical) or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience, including substantial responsibility for planning and leading large, complex programs with at least 5 or more concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting, and forecasting methods, with a clear understanding of their financial and operational impacts.
• Proven experience successfully managing complex defense or aerospace programs involving integrated sensor systems (e.g., RF, radar, EO/IR, EW, or C‑UAS solutions).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and articulate financial performance across multiple programs, anticipate financial and operational problems, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizational project management tools, processes, and techniques; proven capability as a mentor and developer of process and PM talent.
• Experience developing or refining program and project management processes in response to specific organizational needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of program metrics and KPIs, and experience presenting complex program and financial information effectively to executives and customers.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including root‑cause analysis and data‑driven decision making.
• Experience providing feedback and guidance to managers and leads of complex programs in a matrixed environment.
• Strong communication skills—able to clearly communicate plans, reports, and concepts to cross‑functional teams, executive management, and customer stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross‑functional teams (Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, BD) in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally within the Continental U.S. (and internationally as required) for short‑duration engagements.

Nice To Haves

• MS in Engineering and/or MBA preferred.
• APICS or related supply chain / planning certification or training preferred.
• Active U.S. DoD Security Clearance at Secret or higher (Top Secret preferred), or the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance.
• Direct experience with C‑UAS systems, integrated air defense, or related RF/EW multi‑sensor platforms.
• Familiarity with sensor fusion, open architectures, modular system design, and interoperability standards (e.g., NATO or joint frameworks).
• Experience leading or supporting major capture efforts, including proposal development, pricing strategy, and customer engagement.
• Strong aptitude for analysis, root‑cause identification, and structured problem solving; demonstrated ability to defend program estimates and decisions with objective metrics.
• Strong presentation and briefing skills, including experience engaging senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast‑paced, small‑team environment where individuals share a broad variety of duties.
• Strong initiative, ownership, and accountability for current and past work products; commitment to learning from mistakes and driving continuous improvement in self, teams, and the organization.
• Proven focus on teamwork and collaboration, consistently placing the success of the team and organization above individual interests.

Responsibilities

• Program & Portfolio Leadership Lead planning, execution, and lifecycle management of large, complex RF C‑UAS multi‑sensor programs, typically consisting of five or more concurrent projects (development, integration, production, and sustainment).
• Define overall program strategy, objectives, and success metrics in alignment with divisional and corporate business plans.
• Consistently use past program/project artifacts (schedules, cost history, risk registers, performance metrics) to drive informed decisions, shape proposals, and improve program outcomes.
• Provide leadership, feedback, and guidance to program and project managers running complex efforts within the RF C‑UAS portfolio.
• Define, implement, and refine project and program management policies, procedures, and tools; serve as a subject‑matter expert and mentor for project management practices across the organization.
• Financial Management & Forecasting Create, review, and assess multiple monthly financial reports (e.g., P&L, EAC/ETC, variance analyses, bookings/billings, and backlog) across a wide range of programs.
• Explain financial trends across individual and multiple programs, anticipate issues, and implement corrective actions to protect margin and meet financial targets.
• Demonstrate proficiency in statistics, forecasting, and forecasting methods; apply these to demand planning, revenue forecasting, and resource planning with clear understanding of financial and operational impacts.
• Work with Finance, Business Development (BD), and the Master Scheduler to recommend at‑risk forecast positions that support operational execution to the business plan.
• Defend cost and schedule estimates using metrics and historical data; ensure estimates are realistic, traceable, and aligned with organizational estimating practices.
• Customer Management & Business Development Alignment Define customer needs and requirements, and establish methods to ensure successful long‑term relationships and repeat business.
• Manage and build customer trust through regular communication of program status, risks, opportunities, and financial condition; support customer needs while balancing internal business objectives.
• Analyze key customer accounts across BD to highlight trends, drivers, risks, and opportunities; share insights with stakeholders to minimize forecast error and inform capture strategy.
• Support BD and Capture activities by leading or contributing to major proposals, ROMs, and customer briefings for RF C‑UAS and multi‑sensor offerings.
• Represent the RF C‑UAS portfolio in internal and external forums, clearly communicating program performance, roadmaps, and strategic direction.
• Operations, Supply Chain & Master Scheduling Work with the Master Scheduler to ensure weekly and monthly supply plans are aligned to customer demand, contractual deliveries, and program milestones.
• Collaborate closely with Production Control and Supply Chain to provide reliable promised delivery dates for forecasts and sales orders, and to proactively resolve material, capacity, or lead‑time constraints.
• Partner with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Engineering, and Supply Chain to plan and execute product transitions, obsolescence, new product introductions, and design changes to minimize financial and operational impacts.
• Technical & Lifecycle Leadership Oversee integration planning and execution for multi‑sensor technologies, including RF detection and defeat, radar, EO/IR, and electronic countermeasure components, ensuring system‑level performance, interoperability, and compliance.
• Ensure that operational use cases and field feedback are translated into actionable technical requirements and prioritized within roadmaps and change control processes.
• Provide oversight for the full product lifecycle—concept development, design, integration, testing, evaluation, production, fielding, training, and sustainment—for RF C‑UAS systems.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, export control, cybersecurity, and applicable defense standards in coordination with functional stakeholders.
• Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement Define organizational methods to collect, organize, and report program data (cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, and customer metrics).
• Develop and maintain metrics dashboards and reporting mechanisms that enable accurate, timely reporting of critical information to executive management and customers.
• Lead or actively drive continuous improvement initiatives within the RF C‑UAS portfolio, using root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving to improve cost, schedule adherence, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Mentor and coach others in the use of project management tools, metrics, and best practices; drive standardization and scalability of processes across programs.
• Other Travel as required within the Continental U.S. and, as applicable, to allied partner locations for customer meetings, program reviews, test events, and partner engagements.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of RF C‑UAS division and corporate objectives.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director