Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs

Worker Type Regular Job Description Product Line Director – LOCUST Programs      Directed Energy Business Unit (DE BU)      AeroVironment, Inc.      Role Overview      The Product Line Director (PLD) for the LOCUST family of Directed Energy systems is responsible for overall product line ownership, management of production programs, program execution, and lifecycle management across the LOCUST portfolio. This role serves as the business and execution lead for LOCUST programs, partnering closely with the Technical Product Line Director, and chief engineering team to drive the technical roadmap while ensuring disciplined execution from concept development through production, fielding, and sustainment.      The PLD is accountable for program performance, cost, schedule, risk, and customer satisfaction, and acts as the primary interface between customers, internal engineering teams, supply chain, finance, and senior leadership. This position plays a critical role in scaling directed energy capabilities into operational systems for U.S. Government customers.      Key Responsibilities      Product Line & Program Leadership      Own end-to-end execution of the LOCUST product line across all phases of the program lifecycle: capture, development, integration, production, fielding, and sustainment      Serve as the primary programmatic authority for LOCUST programs, accountable for cost, schedule, technical performance, and delivery commitments      Partner with the Technical Product Line Director to align technical roadmap, architecture decisions, and capability evolution with customer requirements and business strategy      Lead cross-functional integrated product teams (IPTs) including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, contracts, and finance      Financial & Program Control      Develop, manage, and execute program budgets, EACs, forecasts, and margin performance      Ensure disciplined program controls, risk management, and change management across contracts      Drive affordability, scalability, and producibility initiatives aligned with customer acquisition strategies      Support pricing strategies, proposal development, and negotiation for new programs, follow-ons, and production options      Customer & Stakeholder Engagement      Act as a senior customer interface for LOCUST programs with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and other DoD and interagency stakeholders      Support customer engagements including design reviews, program reviews, test events, fielding activities, and operational demonstrations      Translate evolving customer CONOPS and mission needs into executable program plans and product enhancements      Represent the LOCUST product line in internal and external executive-level forums      Execution, Production & Sustainment      Drive transition from development to production, including supply chain readiness, manufacturing scale-up, and quality assurance      Oversee sustainment planning, field support, spares, upgrades, and lifecycle cost reduction efforts      Ensure alignment with modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and long-term sustainment strategies      Support deployed systems with responsiveness and operational urgency      Required Qualifications      Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)      10+ years of experience in defense programs, product line management, or program management      Demonstrated experience leading directed energy, advanced weapons, or complex defense systems      Strong working knowledge of EACs, program financials, earned value concepts, and execution metrics      Experience working directly with U.S. Army, NNSA, U.S. Air Force, and/or other government customers      Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams delivering complex, mission-critical systems      Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment      Preferred Qualifications      Experience with high-energy laser (HEL) or counter-UAS systems      Background supporting rapid prototyping, fielding, and operational test events      Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways, OTAs, rapid capability offices, and transition-to-program-of-record efforts    Clearance Level Secret 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 pleas