Associate Vice President, Program Management - LMS

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Associate VP, LMS Program Management, serves as a strategic leader responsible for the successful execution and delivery of complex, high-value programs within the Loitering Munitions Systems (LMS) business unit. This role provides visionary leadership across program management, business development, contract execution, and operational excellence to ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to the organization’s long-term growth and profitability objectives. This role partners closely with business unit leadership, engineering, operations, and finance to drive portfolio strategy, optimize program execution, and ensure customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance across all government and commercial contracts. The role sets the overall direction for the Program Management Office (PMO), ensuring best-in-class processes, talent development, and cross-functional collaboration that advance the organization’s mission and competitive positioning. Position Responsibilities Provide executive oversight and direction for all LMS programs, ensuring successful execution of multi-million-dollar development and production contracts. Establish long-term strategic objectives for program management excellence aligned with organizational goals. Oversee a diverse portfolio of programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, financial performance, and customer commitments. Identify risks and opportunities, and drive proactive mitigation and recovery strategies to achieve business objectives. Partner with the executive leadership team in proposal strategy, contract negotiations, and business acquisition efforts. Influence contract structure, pricing strategy, and compliance requirements to ensure competitiveness and profitability. Develop and implement business unit-wide program management standards, tools, and metrics that ensure consistency, predictability, and efficiency across all LMS programs. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance execution discipline and delivery performance. Partner with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance leaders to ensure resource alignment, risk management, and operational readiness to support successful program delivery. Establish and manage program budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics. Drive accountability for meeting revenue, margin, and cash flow targets. Provide executive reporting and insights to support data-driven decision-making. Establish and manage program budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics. Drive accountability for meeting revenue, margin, and cash flow targets. Provide executive reporting and insights to support data-driven decision-making. Other duties as assigned Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline or related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Advanced degree, MBA or MS is highly preferred. 15 + years of relevant experience required including extensive first-hand knowledge of weapon systems, military market, competitors, and technologies. Minimum of 8 years of experience in a leadership role. Experience with continuous improvement methodologies. Proven track record leading complex, high-value government and commercial development programs. Demonstrated success driving strategic business outcomes, including growth, profitability, and operational excellence. Strong financial acumen and contract management expertise. Experience with production operations Experience managing a department or project budget Display a proven track record of taking ownership and driving results - self-start and self-directed Ability to travel both domestically and internationally up to 15% of the time Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Demonstrates strong computer skills and proficiency with office software, productivity tools and other software tools on one’s area of expertise Experienced and comfortable with presenting to executive leadership up to company Board of Directors Display strong critical thinking skills, demonstrated ability to analyze and break down problems into components Ability to work on problems of complex scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercise judgment, strategic thinking, and best practices to determine appropriate action, yet also creatively thinks outside the box to find solutions to never-solved problems Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests Physical Demands Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer. May require travel to company and customer sites. Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance: Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating. May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling. Special Requirements U.S. Citizenship required . Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required. Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $224,500 - $359,000 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s 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 AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s 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: . We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s 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 Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s 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 data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR