Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs

at Aerovironment

1300 Eubank Boulevard Southeast, Albuquerque, United StatesOn-site

negotiation

Responsibilities

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 Army,
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,

Requirements

Qualifications Bachelor’s 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
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.

Benefits

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 Secret The salary range for this role is: $148,000 - $217,875 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work

Additional details

Worker Type Regular 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.

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

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”).

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.

We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed.

Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs

Responsibilities

Requirements

Benefits

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