Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs

Worker Type

Job Description

Product Line Director LOCUST Programs

Directed Energy Business Unit (DE BU)
AeroVironment Inc.

Role Overview
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.

Key Responsibilities

Product Line & Program Leadership

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

Financial & Program Control

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



Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

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

Execution Production & Sustainment

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


Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics Business or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates 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 AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments 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: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats 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 Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres 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 datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR