Vice President, Operations - Autonomous Systems

Worker Type Regular Job Description Role Overview The Vice President, Operations — AxS is the senior executive accountable for end-to-end tactical operational execution across AeroVironment’s Autonomous Systems Segment. The role ensures that customer and program demand is translated through the enterprise resource planning system into an executable supply response, stable factory performance, on-time product delivery, and effective customer sustainment. This leader owns daily flow, quality, schedule, cost, cash, and operational readiness across a complex, multi-business-unit portfolio of autonomous air, ground, maritime, loitering-munition, and related mission systems. Reporting to the President, AxS, the VP, Operations leads and integrates segment operations across planning, production control, purchasing execution, manufacturing, materials, logistics, quality, sales, inventory and operations planning (SIOP), inventory, repair and overhaul (R&O), and manufacturing engineering. The VP works in close partnership with Business Unit leaders, Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Business Development, and the Global Operations organization to deliver current customer commitments while scaling capacity, industrializing new products, and strengthening the segment’s operating system. Role Charter: Run the AxS operating system: deliver to customers today, ensure daily flow and quality, and execute to plan. Partner with Global Operations to standardize and improve the enterprise systems, capabilities, and controls that enable sustained performance. Operating Scope and Organizational Accountability The VP owns the smooth, connected execution of the full operations fulfillment workflow and is accountable for resolving breakdowns at the interfaces between demand, planning, supply, production, delivery, and sustainment. Direct and matrixed accountability includes the following AxS operating functions: Planning and SIOP: Demand translation, capacity and constraint planning, executive alignment, scenario management, and commitment setting. Production Control: Work-order release, schedule control, priority management, shortage escalation, and factory cadence. Purchasing Execution: MRP execution, purchase-order placement and follow-up, supplier commitments, line-down prevention, and tactical recovery. Materials, Inventory, and Logistics: Material readiness, inventory accuracy and turns, warehousing, kitting, material movement, packaging, and shipment. Manufacturing: Assembly, integration, test, visual management, labor performance, throughput, safety, and daily execution. Quality: Quality engineering, inspection and control, product conformance, corrective action, and prevention of escapes. Manufacturing Engineering: Routings, work instructions, tooling, process readiness, producibility, and transition to production. Repair and Overhaul: Field-return evaluation, repair, overhaul, replenishment, turnaround time, and sustainment execution. Key Responsibilities End-to-End Fulfillment & Delivery Own the full operations workflow from demand planning and ERP loading through production, shipment, fielding, support, repair, and replenishment. Drive an integrated operating cadence connecting BD, Programs, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sustainment to one executable plan. Ensure accurate, timely orders, BOMs, routings, schedules, and inventory signals; lead recovery for material, capacity, quality, labor, and program disruptions. Segment Operations Strategy & Execution Develop and execute a multi-year AxS operations strategy aligned with growth, margin, cash, capital, and customer commitments. Translate annual and long-range plans into clear site, business-unit, and value-stream targets with measurable leading indicators. Balance near-term delivery with long-term capability (capacity, workforce, capital, footprint, surge) through disciplined operating rhythms. Manufacturing, Production Control & Material Readiness Lead safe, compliant, efficient assembly, integration, test, and delivery across AxS sites. Ensure realistic, material-backed, capacity-feasible production schedules and disciplined floor control. Drive material readiness (MRP execution, supplier commits, shortage triage, kitting, inventory/logistics) and improve throughput, cycle time, schedule attainment, labor utilization, and yield. SIOP, Planning & ERP Discipline Lead the AxS SIOP process, integrating demand, supply, capacity, inventory, financial outlook, and risk into a single plan. Champion accurate master data, disciplined transactions, and strong system adoption across ERP, MES, PLM, and digital platforms. Build scenario plans for growth, IDIQ variability, multi-year buys, surge, engineering changes, and constrained supply. Quality, Mission Assurance & Compliance Ensure product conformance and mission success through robust quality engineering, inspection, traceability, and corrective action. Reduce rework, scrap, escapes, customer returns, and cost of poor quality; maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO, ITAR, EAR, DFARS and other aerospace/defense requirements. Support customer, government, registrar, and internal audits and production readiness reviews. Industrialization & New Product Introduction Own operations readiness for NPI and transition to production, aligning technical and manufacturing readiness, producibility, test strategy, and supply readiness. Ensure manufacturing engineering delivers routings, work instructions, tooling, qualified processes, production test capability, standard work, and trained labor before rate commitments. Sponsor facility moves, line launches, capital projects, automation, and digital manufacturing initiatives with clear governance and benefit realization. Operational Excellence & Technology Deploy lean, Six Sigma, standard work, flow/pull, root-cause problem solving, and continuous improvement across AxS operations. Partner with Global Operational Excellence, Advanced Manufacturing, Operations Data & Digital Transformation, and Global Manufacturing to adopt common systems and proven technologies. Evaluate and implement modern manufacturing technology and automation with disciplined ROI, risk, cybersecurity, and workforce-readiness criteria. Customer, Program & Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as the AxS executive authority for operational commitments, production readiness, recovery plans, customer visits, and critical delivery milestones. Provide credible operations input to bids and proposals (labor, material, capital, capacity, schedule, risk, industrial base, ramp). Build trusted relationships with customers, government stakeholders, and strategic suppliers; communicate performance, constraints, and recovery actions with transparency and urgency. Financial & Talent Leadership Own AxS operations budgets, capital plans, productivity, inventory, working capital, cost reduction, and cost-of-poor-quality performance. Build and develop a high-performance, multi-site organization with clear accountability, succession plans, and bench strength. Foster a safety-first, mission-focused culture of urgency, integrity, inclusion, disciplined execution, and continuous learning; maintain strong presence on the factory floor. Partnership with Global Operations Lead tactical AxS performance while partnering with Global Operations on enterprise systems, standards, and scalable capabilities. Collaborate with Global Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Advanced Manufacturing, CTO/technology functions, Programs Office, and Operations Data & Digital Transformation. Jointly support the warfighter and mission, solving systemic problems and continuously improving the operating system. Key Metrics of Success Safety; on-time delivery and schedule attainment; quality and yield; material readiness and supplier performance; cost, productivity, and cost of poor quality; flow, lead time, and throughput; inventory turns and working capital; industrialization/NPI success; people and leadership metrics including engagement, retention, safety culture, and bench strength. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management, supply chain, business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 15+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, or related fields, including 10+ years leading leaders. Proven leadership of complex, multi-site operations in aerospace & defense, autonomous systems, or similarly regulated, mission-critical manufacturing. Experience managing operations at scale across multiple product lines/programs/business units with direct accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and working capital. Demonstrated success scaling production, stabilizing constrained operations, launching new products, and leading cross-functional transformation or recovery. Working knowledge of defense acquisition/contracting, and applicable quality, export-control, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements. Ability to travel 25–40% domestically and internationally. Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree (MBA, M.S. in Engineering, Operations, or Supply Chain). Lean/Six Sigma leadership experience; Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent preferred. Experience with SIOP/S&OP, MRP, ERP transformation, MES, PLM, digital manufacturing, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Experience supporting U.S. DoD and international defense customers under FFP, cost-type, IDIQ, and multi-year contracts, including audits and production readiness reviews. Experience in repair, overhaul, field sustainment, and lifecycle support operations. Strong financial acumen (budgets, capital allocation, business cases, standard cost, productivity, inventory, working capital). Leadership Competencies Converts long-term strategy into disciplined daily execution. Acts decisively under uncertainty; mobilizes rapid recovery when commitments are at risk. Operates with an enterprise mindset across segments, sites, and global functions. Maintains operational credibility from factory floor to executive/customer/government engagements. Leads change across organization, process, technology, and footprint. Inspires and develops teams; creates clarity and accountability; prioritizes mission and team success. Demonstrates integrity, transparency, ownership, resilience, and a commitment to learning. Work Environment Regular presence in manufacturing, integration, test, lab, warehouse, and office settings; comfortable moving between executive reviews and point-of-work engagement. May support extended hours for critical recoveries, customer milestones, or surge requirements. AeroVironment is an equal opportunity employer. Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $245,500 - $393,000 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