Product Line Director - EW Systems

AV is growing and we are seeking an experienced Product Line Director (PLD) for the AV EW (Electronic Warfare) Systems group. This role serves as the business and execution lead for AV EW Systems programs, partnering closely with AV EW leadership, the chief engineering team, and the business development team to drive the technical roadmap while ensuring disciplined execution from concept development through production, fielding, and sustainment.

About the role

The PLD is responsible for overall product line ownership, program performance, cost, schedule, risk, and customer satisfaction. This position acts as the primary interface between customers, AV EW senior leadership, and the chief engineering team, playing a critical role in scaling EW System capabilities into operational systems for U.S. Government customers.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for end-to-end execution of the AV EW Systems product line across all phases of the program lifecycle: capture, development, integration, production, fielding, and sustainment.
• For programs associated with the AV EW Systems group, ensure accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and delivery commitments.
• Partner with AV EW leadership and the chief engineering team 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.
• 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.
• Act as a senior customer interface for AV EW Systems 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 AV EW Systems product line in internal and external executive-level forums.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 SIGINT/Cyber/EW/C-U systems developments.
• 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.
• Currently possess and able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Hardware or Software Engineering Disciplines or related fields.
• Advanced knowledge of wireless technology, SIGINT/Cyber/EW/C-UAS systems, Digital Signal Processing, and Firmware/Embedded Signal Processing.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and its application to EW systems.
• Proven track record of delivering larger Department of War (DoW) programs (+$10M).
• Familiarity with DoW acquisition pathways, OTAs, rapid capability offices, and transition-to-program-of-record efforts.
• Currently possess and able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, or sit.
• Continually required to talk or hear.
• Occasionally/Frequently/Continually works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals.
• Occasionally/Frequently/Continually exposed to outside weather conditions, extreme heat or cold (non-weather), wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather).
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally/Frequently/Continually required to taste or smell.

Pay

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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401K with company matching.
• 9/80 work schedule.
• Paid holiday shutdown.

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.