The Sr. Director of Operations leads and manages the following core functions: Planning and Production Control, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering.  The Sr. Director of Operations ensures the efficient execution of all processes associated with Operations, the build of quality products, and meeting the delivery schedule requirements for each of the assigned Business Areas. In addition, one responsible for driving Visual/Lean Factory implementation, MRP Optimization and Metrics-Based Performance Management throughout the factory.

Position Responsibilities

• Leadership and management of all personnel within assigned business area’s Operations Department

• Leadership of Visual/Lean Factory, MRP Optimization and Metrics-Based Performance Management

• Achievement of annual business area operating performance objectives and KPI metrics

• Implementation of the key characteristics required to transition products to production

• Integral part of key suppliers qualifying and ongoing collaborative relationships.

• Coordinates inputs to and outputs from the business area leadership teams to ensure objectives are met

• Translate customer requirements into state-of-the-art manufacturing strategies and processes, resulting in cost-effective processing and profitable manufacturing of company product

• Ensures product quality and delivery schedule requirements are achieved for all customer deliverables of materials, components, parts, subassemblies, manufactured systems, tooling, and equipment

• Ensures the development of, manufacture of, certification of and maintenance of manufacturing tooling, equipment, and procedures

• Works closely with Product Line Management and Engineering leadership to develop production documentation (drawings, bills of materials, and assembly and test procedures)

• Secure and maintain the necessary facilities for supporting manufacturing, for multiple sites across diverse product lines

• Ensure best-in-class processes/procedures are leveraged across the organization

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelors degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

• 15 years of relevant experience in both Manufacturing/Operations and at least 7 years of progressive leadership roles

• Experienced/trained in Lean/Six-Sigma practices

• Proven experience driving the long-range strategic planning process for operations

• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Demonstrates effective leadership skills and experience in a highly technical environment

• Exhibits strong verbal and written communication skills

• Proficient with MS Office and other office productivity tools

• 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

• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships

• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

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 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:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com 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 youre 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