Senior Program Manager, RF Mission Systems

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary AV is seeking an RF Mission Systems (RFMS) Senior Program Manager with strong leadership abilities, excellent engineering skills, and extensive experience in product innovation and technical execution. This position requires experience in developing strong customer relationships and fulfilling deliverables therefore positioning the RFMS team for future growth. The candidate should have a strong technical and project management background and knowledge in the design and development of complex phased array systems is a plus. The Senior Program Manager is intended to support AV's BADGER product (RFMS portfolio). The ideal candidate will be a competent, self-starting individual, who has strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills. Success in this position requires a strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail. The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of production processes to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations/Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance to drive efficiency and optimize production schedules. Position Responsibilities Project Coordination & Stakeholder Management Develop project plans, schedules, and budgets Manage and lead production programs from inception to completion Monitor project progress, milestones, and deliverables, identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies Establish and maintain effective communication channels with customers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders such as PM Team, IPT Leads, Group Leads, Contracts, Subcontracts, Finance, Purchasing, and People & Culture Coordinate regular meetings and progress updates with the PM Team, IPT Leads, Group Leads, and other staff to ensure alignment and address any concerns or open action items Coordinate with Engineering teams to ensure smooth transition of products from design to manufacturing Monitor production metrics and KPIs, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards throughout the production process Manage stakeholder expectations and address their needs throughout the project lifecycle Identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency enhancements, and lessons learned Participate in post-project reviews and implement corrective actions as required to enhance project performance and outcomes Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in RF systems and project management Budget and Resource Management Monitor project budgets, expenditures, and financial forecasts for RF Mission Systems' BADGER product and IRAD Budgets Coordinate resource allocation and optimization in collaboration with the PM Team, IPT Leads, Group Leads, and other staff members Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to ensure timely procurement of project materials and services related to RF systems Contract Management Perform contract administration specific to RF Mission Systems, including reviewing contract terms, monitoring deliverables, and managing contract modifications Collaborate with the legal and procurement teams to address contractual issues, ensure program compliance and avoid scope creep Other duties as assigned Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor's degree in relevant STEM discipline or Program Management discipline Minimum 8+ years of relevant experience managing technical programs with a budget of $20M or greater Experience with developing and presenting schedule, financial and/or technical briefings Knowledge of production planning and scheduling techniques Experience with/understanding of DoD contracting and acquisition process Must be proficient in Excel and PowerPoint Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Top-Secret SCI Clearance Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies MS or advanced degree in an engineering/program management field or equivalent industry experience Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience managing technical programs with a budget $100M or greater Experience with business intelligence reporting (e.g. PowerBI) and Microsoft Project preferred Exemplary evidence of effective communication; both verbally and in writing Ability to effectively handle variety of situations and problems that may arise - sometimes several at once - and solve them, work with those involved to come to cooperative solutions, while understanding time and budget constraints Proven ability to perform under the stress of frequent interruptions and/or distractions Skill in working independently and at the direction of a manager; following through on assignments in a timely manner Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete assignments efficiently and accurately, while adapting to shifting or competing work assignments and changes in workload volume Experience with Unanet ERP or similar Experience with satellite ground systems is preferred Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and requirements Experience in assigning and delegating tasks to engineering teams, setting both long and short-term project goals as well as working alongside other engineers and technicians, approving designs and budgets, calculating costs, material, labor, and time required for each project, negotiating contracts with vendors and clients, executing plans safely and efficiently, ensuring that projects stay within time and budgetary restraints, and compiling reports and presenting information Experience aiding with proposal development, contract negotiation, contract compliance and business development Experience in Aerospace or with U.S. Department of Defense Active U.S. Department of Defense Secret, Top Secret or TS/SCI Clearance preferred Effectively manages multiple efforts simultaneously and give direction to the program team Works independently with minimal supervision and completes assigned tasks within program schedule and budget Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others and the company Demonstrates effective organizational, problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills. Exhibits teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one’s own interests Travel Occasional overnight travel Physical Demands & Work Environment This job operates in a professional office and manufacturing environment with specialized laboratory areas This role routinely uses standard office equipment and special test equipment to meet program objectives Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer May require travel to sites/program and special functions May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling. Required to talk, hear, and sit/stand for long periods Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $101,000 - $154,000 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 U.S. Citizenship required