Sr. Program Manager, Space Technologies

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary
AV has an immediate opening for a Senior Technical Program Manager to support laser communications programs within the Space Technologies Business Unit. AV provides a full suite of exquisite space-qualified hardware trusted to fly in the most extreme environments space presents across LEO MEO GEO and xGEO. With hundreds of systems flying in space our customers turn to AV when a mission cant fail. This is a full-time on-site position in Albuquerque NM.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to successfully design and deliver hardware for space electronics programs.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across engineering systems manufacturing quality and supply chain
• Develop and manage detailed project plans identifying critical path activities and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the team product lead and external/internal stakeholders.
• Oversee requirements definition system architecture design reviews verification and validation processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable space aerospace or defense standards and customer specifications.
• Perform project management activities in accordance with accepted project management standards in the industry (e.g. PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge PMBOK ANSI and ISO-standards).
• Monitor performance and progress using appropriate tools and metrics to report status to management.
• Facilitate clear communication across all team members ensuring effective collaboration and timely decision-making.
• Mentor and develop team members fostering a culture of innovation accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure team members responsibilities accountability and authority are clearly documented and understood and individuals are executing to the plan.
• Support resource allocation budget tracking and identify document and manage project risks issues and opportunities.
• Manage scope schedule and budget for assigned control accounts negotiate scope of work.
• Develop implement and manage corrective actions at the activity level while maintaining baseline integrity.
• Establish monitor and integrate change management processes and decisions.
• Facilitate negotiations involving major project parameters such as deliverable definition and performance objectives (e.g. cost schedule quality).
• All other relevant duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Information Systems Engineering or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 8-12 years of experience managing large-scale programs with a proven track record in leading complex multi-million-dollar programs
• Deep understanding of project management methodologies organizational change management principles and developing risk management & mitigation plans
• Knowledge of the Project Lifecycle from requirements definition proposal preparation and negotiation and project implementation through to completion
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to navigate competing priorities and influence without direct authority
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project Excel PowerPoint and other program management tools (e.g. Jira Gitlab etc.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to listen assimilate evaluate and summarize. Sound ability to communicate with the customer at all levels
• Strong initiative in defining proposing implementing and communicating schedule metrics that support informed decision-making
• Some travel required (20%)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements
U.S. Citizen required

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