Vice President, IAMD Business GM

About the Role

The Vice President, Integrated Air & Missile Defense Business GM will provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Integrated Air & Missile Defense business within Precision Strike & Defensive Systems (PSDS), reporting to the Senior Vice President, General Manager, Precision Strike & Defensive Systems. This position is located in Huntsville, AL.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Integrated Air & Missile Defense business within PSDS, including portfolio strategy, investment priorities, and market positioning.
• Own profit and loss (P&L) accountability for the Integrated Air & Missile Defense portfolio, including revenue growth, margin performance, bookings, and cash generation.
• Develop and execute a multi-year business strategy aligning with AV’s vision of integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber, with a focus on layered defense and counter-UAS solutions.
• Build and maintain senior-level customer relationships across U.S. and allied Services, Combatant Commands, and key acquisition organizations.
• Support the capture of new business opportunities, shaping customer requirements, and setting competitive pricing strategies in partnership with Growth, business development, capture, and proposal teams.
• Ensure successful execution of programs and contracts, maintaining cost, schedule, and technical performance in partnership with program management, engineering, operations, and supply chain.
• Drive portfolio rationalization and disciplined capital allocation—deciding where to invest, divest, or partner to optimize growth and profitability.
• Collaborate across AV segments (Autonomous Systems; Space, Cyber & Directed Energy) to create integrated, cross-domain solutions leveraging AV’s broader portfolio.
• Serve as a key interface with government and legislative stakeholders, supporting Congressional engagements and influencing Program Objective Memorandum (POM) planning activities.
• Operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment, establishing strong relationships with finance, contracting, people & culture, legal, operations, engineering, and marketing & communications.
• Champion AV’s culture and brand, promoting customer satisfaction, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving cross-segment growth in integrated air and missile defense markets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 15-18 years of progressive leadership experience in defense or aerospace, including direct responsibility for P&L in a sizeable business or portfolio.
• Demonstrated success leading a P&L center or business unit, including responsibility for revenue, margin, bookings, and operating expense management.
• Extensive experience with DoD contracting and acquisition processes, including leading proposals, pricing strategies, and negotiations for complex programs.
• Experience managing large, complex programs or portfolios in Air & Missile Defense, Integrated Air & Missile Defense, or related defense systems markets.
• Proven ability to grow a business through strategic planning, market development, new program capture, and execution excellence.
• Strong leadership record in matrixed organizations, with demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and build high-performing cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting Congressional actions and influencing POM planning activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience presenting to senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Well-organized with strong multi-tasking and time-management skills, delivering high-quality results under demanding timelines.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with integrity and confidentiality.
• Existing, high-value customer relationships within relevant Air & Missile Defense communities (e.g., Service air and missile defense program offices, Joint/COCOM organizations, and key prime contractors).
• Active SECRET clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in defense or aerospace, including significant time in Air & Missile Defense or closely related mission areas.
• Experience at the Director, Vice President, or equivalent executive level managing a technology or systems portfolio of DoD-sponsored programs.
• Direct experience with integrated air and missile defense architectures, sensors, command and control, and effectors—including counter-UAS, missile defense, or layered defense solutions.
• Experience supporting major capture efforts and developing win strategies for competitive procurements with large, well-funded competitors.
• Familiarity with EVMS and working with resource-loaded Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), particularly for large, complex programs.
• Experience developing, shaping, and leading Congressional actions in support of U.S. Services’ integrated air and missile defense needs.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $245,500 - $393,000. AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including location, role, responsibilities, work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits

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

For more information about company benefits, visit AV Benefits.

About AV

AV is a premier autonomous systems company delivering breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. Founded by Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of unmanned systems. Our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

For more information, visit AV's website.

This position requires compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and EAR, or be eligible for an export license. U.S. citizenship is required for some positions due to contract requirements.