Director of Operations

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Summary

At AV, our strength is in how we efficiently deliver leading-edge products and support to customers, and we’re proud to set the standard for success in our industry. To help us continue growing, we’re seeking an experienced Director of Operations to join a highly skilled team. The ideal candidate will have senior management experience in a dynamic setting. The role requires outstanding organizational, communication, and leadership skills and an ability to develop innovative solutions that push boundaries. The director of operations will work closely with executives to strategize and develop long-term plans that usher in new levels of productivity, while meeting contractual and other regulatory requirements and success for the company.

 

Objectives of this role

• Collaborate with senior managers in the development of performance goals and long-term operational plans
• Maximize efficiency and productivity through extensive process analysis and interdepartmental collaboration
• Set strategic goals for operational efficiency and increased productivity
• Work with project managers in the development of financial and budgetary plans
• Work with program managers to ensure visibility of progress and meet OTD, Quality, and Sales commitments for each program and/or contract
• Analyze current operational processes and performance, recommending solutions for improvement where necessary

 

Position Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor day-to-day operations systems and processes to provide visibility into the goals, progress, and obstacles of key initiatives and production performance
• Operational Leadership: Provide strategic direction, execution and leadership to the manufacturing, production control, and quality teams, ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and objectives for OTD and FPY.
• Develop and implement production schedules and plans, policies, and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in manufacturing.
• Plan, monitor, and analyze key metrics for day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and timely completions of tasks
• Devise strategies and implement process improvements to maximize output and minimize cost while adhering to quality and regulatory standards
• Adhere to AeroVironment company policies and standards, and ensure that the laws and regulations are being followed
• Work closely with People & Culture to lead the team with integrity and to establish and maintain a trusting, inclusive, and productive environment
• Identify operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including senior management, program managers, and engineering teams, to ensure operational alignment with organizational objectives. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal partners, to support operational excellence and achieve business objectives.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management, preferably in the aerospace defense industry.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and Problem-Solving best practices.
• Experience in New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) best practices
• Strong organizational skill, backed by previous professional success.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace defense or related manufacturing and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in driving operational excellence and process improvement initiatives.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop cross-functional teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of making data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

 

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office 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)

Training Travel Requirement:

• This role requires weekly travel from Salt Lake City, UT to Simi Valley, CA for training for the first three months of employment. Training occurs Monday through Friday, three weeks per month. Travel, lodging, meals, and ground transportation will be provided. After the training period, the position is based in Salt Lake City, UT.

Clearance Level

 

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$135,355 - $192,150

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.