Directed Energy Project Engineering Manager

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

AV is seeking an experienced Project Engineering Manager to lead the planning, design, and execution of major facilities expansion projects, including cleanroom and laboratory upgrades and the construction of new buildings. This role will oversee complex, multi-million-dollar projects from initial concept through completion, ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.

The Project Engineering / Construction Manager will manage the full contract lifecycle, coordinate internal and external stakeholders, allocate resources, track milestones, monitor schedule compliance, and lead cross-functional teams to achieve successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of facility expansion, renovation, and new construction projects, including:
  • Cleanroom upgrades and expansions
  • Laboratory construction and modernization
  • New building construction
  • Infrastructure, utility, and facility-support improvements
• Manage complex, multi-million-dollar projects from project initiation and scope development through design, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, budgets, schedules, risk registers, and milestone tracking systems.
• Manage the complete contract lifecycle, including:
  • Procurement and contractor selection
  • Scope and statement-of-work development
  • Contract negotiations and modifications
  • Change orders and claims management
  • Payment reviews and contract closeout
• Coordinate architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, facilities personnel, and internal business partners.
• Monitor contractor performance, project costs, quality, schedule compliance, and adherence to contract requirements.
• Establish and maintain project milestones, deliverables, reporting requirements, and schedule controls.
• Identify and resolve project risks, issues, conflicts, and dependencies in a timely manner.
• Allocate personnel, equipment, materials, and financial resources to support project objectives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, permitting requirements, environmental regulations, safety standards, and company procedures.
• Partner with Environmental, Health, and Safety teams to promote a safe work environment and ensure required safety plans and controls are implemented.
• Coordinate construction activities in active or operational facilities while minimizing disruption to ongoing business operations.
• Support cleanroom and laboratory requirements, including facility utilities, environmental controls, commissioning, qualification, and turnover activities as applicable.
• Lead project meetings and communicate project status, budget, risks, decisions, and action items to leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare executive-level reports, dashboards, forecasts, and presentations.
• Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and properly maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead inspections, punch-list completion, commissioning, acceptance, turnover, and post-project reviews.
• Build collaborative relationships across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, finance, security, and other functions.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and a strong customer-service mindset.
• Ensure projects are completed in a manner that meets or exceeds client expectations.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, Business, or a related field.
• 8 years of experience managing large-scale construction, facilities, engineering, or capital improvement projects.
• Experience managing complex projects with budgets of $10 million or more or comparable project complexity.
• Demonstrated experience with commercial, industrial, laboratory, cleanroom, manufacturing, or highly regulated facilities.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, contract administration, project controls, cost management, scheduling, and commissioning.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, vendors, and cross-functional project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and changing project requirements.
• Strong knowledge of construction safety practices, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and risk management.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar platforms.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience with cleanroom design, construction, validation, or qualification.
• Experience with laboratory facilities, critical utilities, HVAC systems, building automation systems, or controlled environments.
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, medical device, pharmaceuticals, or other regulated industries.
• Familiarity with design-build and construction-manager-at-risk delivery methods.
• Experience with lean construction, commissioning, operational readiness, or facility turnover programs.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, and permitting processes.

Core Competencies

• Project leadership and execution
• Contract lifecycle management
• Construction and facilities expertise
• Budget and cost control
• Schedule and milestone management
• Resource allocation
• Risk and change management
• Safety and regulatory compliance
• Stakeholder and client relationship management
• Team collaboration and communication
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Accountability and results orientation

Success in This Role

Success in this position will be demonstrated by the ability to:

• Deliver projects safely, on schedule, within approved budgets, and in compliance with established quality standards.
• Maintain effective control of contracts, costs, schedules, risks, and changes.
• Coordinate diverse teams and stakeholders toward common project objectives.
• Minimize disruption to ongoing operations during construction and facility upgrades.
• Provide clear, timely, and accurate project communications.
• Deliver cleanroom, laboratory, and building projects that meet operational and client requirements.
• Build strong working relationships and ensure a high level of client satisfaction.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This position requires regular interaction with project teams, contractors, vendors, and company leadership.

• This role requires work in office, laboratory, cleanroom, construction, and industrial environments, including walking active construction sites and using required personal protective equipment.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$154,500 - $278,000

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, 401(k) with company matching, and flexible work schedule options. Depending on your business unit, role, and customer contract requirements, select programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and 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. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.