Engineering Associate Vice President, Business Group Chief Engineer
Avav · California
📍 Moorpark, CA💰 $224,500 - $359,000via workdayFirst listed here 2026-09-10
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Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
As Vice-President level, the Precision Strike and Defense Systems (PSDS) Business Group Chief Engineer (BGCE) is the overall technical authority for the PSDS Business Group. The BGCE is accountable for all technical aspects of the products and leads a team of engineers to ideate, conceptualize, develop, launch, and sustain products throughout the total product lifecycle. The BGCE works with Customers and Product Line Managers to develop concepts of operations which feed into product roadmaps to meet business objectives. The BGCE chairs technical review boards and drives technical requirements for any failure analysis and root cause corrective action activities. The BGCE also serves as functional leader to a small and distinguished group of Product Line Chief Engineers (PLCE).
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience )
Bachelor’s Degree in a Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering discipline (or equivalent)
Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in aerospace product design and sustainment Experience with Defense products and customers
Experience with leading UAS technical teams through the product lifecycle
Experience with drawings and BOMs; Engineering Change systems; Quality systems for non-conforming parts and corrective action
Experience in an Agile and Waterfall development environment
Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills
Experience with integrating new capabilities onto UAS platforms, requiring flow-down of requirements to lower-level systems
Experience project planning in terms of schedule, budget, and resource estimations
Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and communicate a vision that inspires and motivates staff and aligns with the business strategy
Ability to build strong relationships within all disciplines within organization
Effective influencing and negotiation skills in an environment in which resources may not be under your direct control
Experience with product manufacturing and product configuration processes
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in an engineering environment
Project Management Experience
Experienced and proficient with MS Office applications and other office productivity tools
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
Education / experience or aircraft subsystems in R&D environment is preferred
Follows standard practices and procedures when analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. Completes assigned tasks within schedule and budget
Shares ideas and experiences with others, solicits feedback and asks relevant questions
Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
Team Player - Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
Direct experience with design or development in the Aerospace or Defense industries (UAVs or Military aviation preferred)
Direct technical expertise in any of the following areas: Group 1, 2 or 3 UAS
Avionics, sensors, and RF-based data links
Radio frequency spectrum and modern communication systems
SIGINT technologies and sensors, including EO/IR optics
GPS navigation systems including DGPS, SAASM and M-Code
Aviation propulsion systems, including internal combustion and electric motors
OCONUS military operations
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment
Required to sit and stand for long periods (Frequent)
Required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
Travel required to domestic US sites – up to 50%
Special Requirements
U.S. Citizenship required
Must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD Secret security clearance
O ccasionally may be required to travel outside the Continental U.S.
Clearance Level
Top Secret
The salary range for this role is:
$224,500 - $359,000
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.avi
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