Senior Program Manager, Production & Manufacturing — NGCM

Worker Type Regular Job Description Senior Program Manager, Production & Manufacturing — NGCM Position Summary AeroVironment is seeking an experienced production and manufacturing leader to lead the Next Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) program’s transition from prototype development through initial production and full-rate production. This leader will establish and execute the manufacturing strategy, build production capability, and align internal operations and critical suppliers to deliver against program cost, schedule, quality, and capacity requirements. The successful candidate will have personally led complex defense hardware programs through the challenges of production transition, including evolving designs, supplier constraints, manufacturing readiness, and increasing delivery commitments. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong factory execution experience and the ability to translate development hardware into a repeatable, scalable, and affordable production system. Primary Responsibilities Own the transition to production Develop and execute an integrated production transition plan covering manufacturing readiness, facilities, equipment, tooling, staffing, materials, suppliers, quality, and acceptance testing. Establish measurable entry and exit criteria for prototype builds, pilot production, initial production, and full-rate production. Lead manufacturing readiness assessments and production readiness reviews; assign and close actions before they affect delivery commitments. Integrate production milestones, material availability, and capacity constraints into the program’s integrated master schedule. Establish repeatable manufacturing operations Lead the development of production flows, assembly planning, work instructions, tooling, test equipment, and workforce training. Partner with engineering to improve producibility, assembly efficiency, testability, and affordability. Establish configuration-controlled build processes, product traceability, and disciplined incorporation of engineering changes. Define the handoff from engineering-led development builds to manufacturing-led production execution. Ensure production plans incorporate applicable safety, handling, and facility requirements. Build supplier and capacity readiness Partner with supply chain, subcontracts, engineering, and quality to assess critical supplier readiness and delivery performance. Validate supplier capacity, long-lead material requirements, tooling readiness, and recovery plans. Develop make-or-buy recommendations and identify alternate sources or internal capability needs. Build phased capacity plans supported by equipment, labor, floor space, test throughput, capital investment, and supplier commitments. Deliver production performance Own manufacturing execution against approved delivery schedules, budgets, and quality objectives. Establish production metrics covering throughput, first-pass yield, rework, scrap, labor efficiency, material shortages, and on-time delivery. Lead resolution of manufacturing issues and coordinate corrective actions across engineering, quality, suppliers, and operations. Develop recurring unit-cost estimates and execute cost-reduction initiatives as production volume increases. Provide clear production status, risks, recovery actions, and investment recommendations to program and executive leadership. Build the production team Define the manufacturing organization, staffing plan, and skill requirements needed for each production phase. Lead and develop manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, planners, technicians, and other assigned personnel. Establish clear accountability across program management, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. Build a culture of safety, quality, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Ten or more years of relevant aerospace or defense manufacturing experience, including leadership of complex hardware production. Demonstrated success personally leading at least one program from prototype or engineering development into repeatable production with increasing delivery rates. Experience establishing production readiness, manufacturing processes, tooling, staffing, and supplier capacity. Experience managing production schedules, manufacturing budgets, recurring unit costs, and capital requirements. Working knowledge of configuration management, engineering change control, material planning, ERP/MRP systems, and production quality systems. Demonstrated ability to resolve production constraints across engineering, supply chain, quality, and program management. Strong communication skills and experience presenting production performance, risks, and recovery plans to senior leaders. Ability to travel to suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and other program locations as required. Preferred Qualifications Experience transitioning missile, interceptor, munition, or comparable complex defense hardware programs into production. Experience supporting accelerated fielding programs while establishing sustainable production capability. Experience with manufacturing readiness assessments, production readiness reviews, first article inspections, and AS9100 environments. Experience scaling assembly and acceptance-test operations across internal facilities and multiple suppliers. Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or comparable continuous improvement experience. Experience developing capital investment business cases and executing manufacturing facility expansion. Initial Success Measures First 90 days Complete a baseline assessment of internal and supplier manufacturing readiness. Deliver an integrated production transiti