AV · 13 hours ago
Sr. Manager, Hardware Engineering
Pottstown, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$139K/yr - $197K/yr
12+ years expAeroVironment (AV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems, seeking a Sr. Manager of Hardware Engineering. This pivotal leadership role involves overseeing the physical architecture and integration of underwater robotic systems while leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-performance outcomes for commercial and defense customers.
AerospaceAir TransportationDronesElectric VehicleElectronicsEnergyGovernmentManufacturing
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Leadership & Talent Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team. Drive professional growth through active coaching, ensuring the team remains at the forefront of subsea engineering innovation
Operational Excellence: Develop and implement standardized engineering tools and "best-in-class" processes (CAD/EDA, JAMA, PDM, PLM, Simulation) to streamline the transition from concept to production
Strategic Resource Management: Manage staffing levels, budgets, and resource allocation to align with the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and research, development, and production goals
Agile Project Oversight: Drive Agile methodologies within hardware development to ensure rapid iteration, sustaining product support, and timely execution of complex engineering programs
Technical Stewardship: Provide deep technical guidance in the design of pressure-tolerant housings, power distribution, propulsion systems, and sensor integration
Operational Maturity: Lead the "formalization of the informal" by resolving technical debt, legacy drawing inaccuracies, and undocumented design decisions
Process Standardization: Establish rigorous process and procedures for engineering changes (ECO/ECN), version control, and peer reviews to ensure scalable, production-ready quality
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary bridge between Business Leads, Product, Engineering, Production, and External Stakeholders to ensure customer requirements are met with precision and reliability
Maturity of Disciplines: Continuous improvement of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, systems integration, and environmental qualification
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
12+ years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 5+ years in a formal leadership or management role overseeing multidisciplinary hardware and systems teams
BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or other Engineering Disciplines (Master's degree preferred)
Proven experience in Aerospace, Defense, or Subsea/Robotics hardware development
Demonstrated success taking complex hardware from initial concept through design, integration, environmental testing (Vibration, Thermal, Pressure), and into high-rate production
Strong understanding of Systems Engineering principles (requirements traceability, risk management, and interface control)
Proven ability to transform 'tribal knowledge' into scalable, documented processes and formal engineering procedures
Experience managing the balance between rapid innovation and the necessity of disciplined documentation and configuration management
Willingness to roll up sleeves to assist the team in solving immediate technical hurdles while simultaneously building the long-term systems to prevent them
Exceptional ability to translate complex technical challenges into actionable business insights for executive leadership
U.S. Citizenship is required due to defense contract requirements
Preferred
Master's degree in Engineering Disciplines
Familiarity with ruggedized electronics and systems operating in harsh environments is highly preferred
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
Recent News
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