Senior Program Manager, RF Mission Systems

AeroVironment•Albuquerque, NM

5d•$101,000 - $154,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AeroVironment is seeking a Senior Program Manager to support the RF Mission Systems (RFMS) portfolio and its BADGER product. The role oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of production programs to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. The Senior Program Manager works closely with Engineering, Operations/Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and other cross-functional teams to improve efficiency and optimize production schedules. The position calls for strong technical and project management experience, leadership, customer relationship skills, and the ability to execute deliverables. Knowledge of complex phased array system design and development is a plus. The position manages programs from inception through completion, including planning schedules and budgets, monitoring progress and risks, coordinating stakeholders, and managing resources and contracts. It also supports continuous improvement, regulatory and quality compliance, customer engagement, and financial and production performance. Occasional overnight travel is required. The role may be performed in a hybrid environment. U.S. citizenship is required, and the position involves access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR requirements. The listed salary range is $101,000–$154,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline or Program Management discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant experience managing technical programs with budgets of $20 million or greater.
Experience developing and presenting schedule, financial, and/or technical briefings.
Knowledge of production planning and scheduling techniques.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Experience with or understanding of DoD contracting and acquisition processes.
Ability to handle multiple situations and problems, work toward cooperative solutions, and account for time and budget constraints.
Ability to perform under frequent interruptions or distractions.
Ability to work independently and under a manager's direction and complete assignments in a timely manner.
Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete assignments efficiently and accurately while adapting to changing or competing assignments and workload.
Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Top-Secret SCI Clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to work in a hybrid environment and sit and stand for long periods; frequent talking, hearing, and use of hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard are required.

Nice To Haves

MS or advanced degree in an engineering or program management field, or equivalent industry experience.
At least 10 years of relevant experience managing technical programs with budgets of $100 million or greater.
Experience with business intelligence reporting tools such as Power BI and Microsoft Project.
Experience with Unanet ERP or a similar system.
Experience with satellite ground systems.
Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and requirements.
TSI/SCI clearance.
Experience assigning and delegating tasks to engineering teams; setting short- and long-term project goals; working with engineers and technicians; approving designs and budgets; estimating project costs, materials, labor, and time; negotiating vendor and client contracts; executing plans safely and efficiently; keeping projects within time and budget; and compiling reports and presenting information.
Experience supporting proposal development, contract negotiation, contract compliance, and business development.
Experience in aerospace or with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Active U.S. Department of Defense Secret or Top-Secret Clearance.
Ability to manage multiple efforts and provide direction to a program team.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and complete tasks within program schedules and budgets.
Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving personal, team, and company performance.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills; teamwork and collaboration; and commitment to team success.

Responsibilities

Develop project plans, schedules, and budgets; lead production programs from inception to completion.
Monitor project progress, milestones, and deliverables; identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Maintain effective communication with customers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders, including PM Team, IPT Leads, Group Leads, Contracts, Subcontracts, Finance, Purchasing, and Human Resources.
Coordinate regular meetings and progress updates to ensure alignment and address concerns and open action items.
Coordinate with Engineering teams to transition products from design to manufacturing.
Monitor production metrics and KPIs, identify improvement areas, and implement corrective actions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve production efficiency and reduce costs.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards throughout production.
Manage stakeholder expectations and address stakeholder needs across the project lifecycle.
Identify process-improvement and efficiency opportunities and capture lessons learned; participate in post-project reviews and implement corrective actions.
Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in RF systems and project management.
Monitor project budgets, expenditures, and financial forecasts for the RFMS BADGER product and budgets.
Coordinate resource allocation and optimization with the PM Team, IPT Leads, Group Leads, and other staff.
Work with Finance and Procurement to ensure timely procurement of project materials and services related to RF systems.
Administer RFMS contracts, including reviewing terms, monitoring deliverables, and managing contract modifications.
Collaborate with Legal and Procurement to address contractual issues, ensure program compliance, and prevent scope creep.
Perform other duties as assigned.