Director of Manufacturing - Space Technologies

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

This role will serve as the leader responsible for all space product manufacturing, with end-to-end accountability for transitioning a portfolio of ten space products from engineering development into production. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing for Space, Cyber and Directed Energy Segment at AV, this position will oversee manufacturing operations for space hardware, specifically requiring hands-on experience in the manufacturing of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) and space-qualified hardware.

This role has direct responsibility for tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including material planning, supply chain coordination, and quality performance. The leader will ensure day-to-day execution meets cost, schedule, and performance objectives while aligning closely with AV's Global Operations to adopt and enforce enterprise initiatives, policies, tools, and standardized processes.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of space product manufacturing across a portfolio of ~10 products, including production readiness, rate ramp, quality, and delivery performance.
• Own tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including PCBA production and space-qualified hardware fabrication.
• Manage material planning, production scheduling, supply chain coordination, and supplier performance oversight.
• Oversee quality execution, compliance, and defect reduction within high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Maintain daily/weekly operating cadence to ensure commitments are met.
• Drive the transition from engineering development to full-rate production, implementing design-for-manufacturability, producibility, and cost optimization.
• Partner closely with engineering to mature designs and implement robust build-to-print, configuration control, and production release processes.
• Ensure full compliance with space manufacturing standards, including IPC J-STD requirements and applicable space addenda, mission assurance, and reliability expectations.
• Establish and scale manufacturing processes meeting high-reliability, low-defect, and traceability requirements for space systems.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across engineering, quality, supply chain, programs, and finance.
• Partner with Global Operations to ensure alignment to enterprise initiatives, policies, and governance, including the adoption of Oracle Fusion and standardized metrics.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives to improve throughput, reduce cycle time, and optimize cost structures.
• Build and develop an organization across manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality functions.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing or operations, with at least 6 to 8 years of direct managerial experience.
• Core Technical Expertise:
  • Proven experience leading space hardware manufacturing organizations.
  • Required: Direct, hands-on experience manufacturing PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies).
  • Required: Direct experience manufacturing Space-Qualified hardware.
• Transitions & Standards: Demonstrated success transitioning products from engineering development into production at scale; deep expertise in space manufacturing standards, including IPC J-STD and applicable space addenda, quality, and mission assurance frameworks.
• Operations & Systems: Understanding of material planning, supply chain operations, and quality systems in high-reliability environments; experience operating within enterprise ERP/MRP systems (such as Oracle Fusion).

Other Qualifications & Competencies (Desired Experience)

• Experience working with Space Optics.
• Experience working with Laser Communications.
• Experience with multi-product space portfolios, including payloads, avionics, and space subsystems.

• Background in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing transitioning to higher-rate production.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and production ramps.
• Familiarity with commercial space trends and dual-use product strategies.

Leadership Profile

• Forward-leaning, action-oriented leader who balances strategy with hands-on execution
• Strong collaborator who drives alignment across engineering, operations, and Global Operations governance
• Operates with urgency and accountability while maintaining rigor and quality standards
• Able to translate enterprise priorities into daily execution and measurable outcomes
• Committed to building scalable systems, disciplined processes, and high-performing teams

Scope & Impact

• Direct ownership of manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality execution for 10+ space products
• Critical role in enabling revenue realization, margin expansion, and on-time delivery performance
• Key leader in transitioning the organization from development-heavy to product-oriented manufacturing
• Central to driving enterprise standardization, ERP adoption, and operational excellence in partnership with Global Operations

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)

Special Requirements

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

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$148,000 - $237,000

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: 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 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. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.