AV · 1 week ago
Director, Product Line Mgmt
Simi Valley, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$176K/yr - $249K/yr
12+ years expAeroVironment (AV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems, and they are seeking a Director of Product Line Management. This role involves designing, developing, and leading activities for specific product lines, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and collaborating with various teams to manage the product lifecycle effectively.
AerospaceAir TransportationDronesElectric VehicleElectronicsEnergyGovernmentManufacturing
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Holds complete responsibility, accountability, and authority for cognizant AeroVironment (AV) product lines including financial performance and growth
Leads specific product lines through entire lifecycle, sunrise to sunset
Provides leadership on new product introduction activities with engineering and operations and ensures alignment with the Go-to-Market plans
Effectively balances customer and business needs when planning and retiring products
Manages, trains, coaches, mentor’s other product line managers
Establishes, communicates, and achieves buy-in for product line strategies
Works with customer programs to manage new pursuits and contract negotiations
Able to provide guidance and direction for new business pursuits and proposal efforts
Collaborates with Marketing and Business Development to define product pricing, promotion, placement, and preferred features
Collaborates with stakeholders to develop Product Requirements
Consults with CTO office and/or engineering on latest technologies and their inclusion within AV product roadmap(s)
Manages prioritization and trade-offs among projects to effectively lead the AV portfolio, achieve a balance of products, and address resource needs
Interfaces and collaborates with customers to understand concept of operations and problem
Creates buy-in for the product vision both internally and with key customers
Leads fiscal year budgeting for product line R&D and sustainment activities and holds budget accountability for their respective product lines
Evaluates addressable markets, risks, opportunities, and competitors to support current and future business pursuits
Provides leadership guidance to the execution teams working within the product line
Establishes, tracks, and analyzes product line performance metrics and takes action to address issues and/or opportunities
Ensures project and customer data is protected in accordance with ITAR, security classification guides and company proprietary information procedures
Manages organizational and/or customer conflicts, finds a win-win for the business and the customer
Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others
Evaluates and establishes efficient policy and procedures for the Product Line team, consistent with AeroVironment’s Quality Management Systems
Change leader and drives efforts to improve product development, manufacturing, cost and quality
Active listener who can effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders
Anticipates world events and can develop solutions, or mitigations, to address possible scenarios
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree is required in engineering or in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience required
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a leadership role
U.S. Citizenship required with the ability to obtain government security clearance
Ability to work in an office and R&D environment
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and keyboard
Requires travel to sites/program and special functions
Preferred
Advanced degree, MBA or MS is highly preferred
Previous experience as a Sr Manager, Product Line Manager preferred
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
Benefits
Medical
Dental vision
401K with company matching
A 9/80 work schedule
A paid holiday shutdown
Company
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.68B2025-07-01Post Ipo Equity· $875M
2025-07-01Post Ipo Debt· $650M
2023-09-19Post Ipo Equity· $109.01M
Leadership Team
Wahid Nawabi
Chairman, President & CEO
Johnathan Jones
Senior Vice President
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