Sr. Director Manufacturing - Space

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThis role will serve as the senior leader responsible for all space product manufacturing, with end-to-end accountability for transitioning a portfolio of ten space products from engineering development into scalable, high-reliability production. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing for Space, Cyber and Directed Energy Segment at AV, this position will play a critical role in enabling productization, accelerating production readiness, and delivering operational excellence across the space manufacturing portfolio.In addition to strategic leadership, this role has direct responsibility for tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including material planning, supply chain coordination, and quality performance. The leader will ensure day-to-day execution meets cost, schedule, and performance objectives while aligning closely with AV’s Global Operations to adopt and enforce enterprise initiatives, policies, tools, and standardized processes.This role requires a forward-leaning, collaborative leader capable of driving both execution discipline and organizational transformation, ensuring space manufacturing operates with speed, rigor, and scalability in alignment with evolving commercial and national security priorities.Key Responsibilities:Lead all aspects of space product manufacturing across a portfolio of ~10 products, including production readiness, rate ramp, quality, and delivery performanceOwn tactical execution across manufacturing operations, including:Material planning and production schedulingSupply chain coordination and input on supplier performanceQuality execution, compliance, and defect reductionDaily/weekly operating cadence to ensure commitments are metDrive the transition from engineering development to full-rate production, ensuring design-for-manufacturability, producibility, and cost optimizationPartner closely with engineering to mature designs and implement robust build-to-print, configuration control, and production release processesEnsure full compliance with space manufacturing standards, including IPC J-STD requirements and applicable space addenda, as well as mission assurance and reliability expectationsEstablish and scale manufacturing processes that meet high-reliability, low-defect, and traceability requirements for space systemsLead cross-functional coordination across engineering, quality, supply chain, programs, and finance to deliver on cost, schedule, and performance commitmentsPartner with Global Operations to:Ensure alignment to enterprise initiatives, policies, and governanceDrive adoption of standard tools and systems, including Oracle FusionImplement consistent processes, metrics, and reporting across sitesSupport enterprise-wide continuous improvement and operational excellence initiativesChampion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, improving throughput, reducing cycle time, and optimizing cost structureBuild and develop a high-performing organization across manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality functionsAlign manufacturing strategy with broader company direction to accelerate commercialization and productization, consistent with evolving government and market prioritiesOther duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related technical or equivalent combination of education, training, and experienceMinimum 12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing or operations experience required with minimum 7-10 years of direct managerial experienceStrong track record in leading multi-site or complex manufacturing operations in the aerospace, defense, or high-technology industries.Proven experience leading space hardware manufacturing organizations, including responsibility for both strategic leadership and tactical executionDemonstrated success transitioning products from engineering development into production at scaleDeep expertise in space manufacturing standards and requirements, including IPC J-STD and applicable space addenda, as well as quality and mission assurance frameworksStrong understanding of material planning, supply chain operations, and quality systems in high-reliability environmentsExperience operating within complex, regulated environments (defense, aerospace, or space)Track record of leading cross-functional teams and influencing across engineering, operations, and program organizationsExperience implementing or operating within enterprise ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion or equivalent)Demonstrated ability to drive operational discipline while leading transformation and standardization effortsCollaborative leadership style with ability to work effectively across segment and enterprise (Global Operations) structuresOther Qualifications & Desired Competencies:Experience with multi-product space portfolios, including payloads, avionics, and space subsystemsBackground in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing transitioning to higher-rate productionExperience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and production ramp in emerging or rapidly evolving marketsFamiliarity with commercial space trends and dual-use product strategiesLeadership ProfileForward-leaning, action-oriented leader who balances strategy with hands-on executionStrong collaborator who drives alignment across engineering, operations, and Global Operations governanceOperates with urgency and accountability while maintaining rigor and quality standardsAble to translate enterprise priorities into daily execution and measurable outcomesCommitted to building scalable systems, disciplined processes, and high-performing teamsScope & ImpactDirect ownership of manufacturing, material planning, supply chain, and quality execution for 10+ space productsCritical role in enabling revenue realization, margin expansion, and on-time delivery performanceKey leader in transitioning the organization from development-heavy to product-oriented manufacturingCentral to driving enterprise standardization, ERP adoption, and operational excellence in partnership with Global OperationsPhysical DemandsAbility to work in an office and manufacturing 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)Clearance LevelNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:$178,000 - $261,450AeroVironment 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: also encourage you to review our company website at 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.ITARU.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired. #J-18808-Ljbffr AeroVironment, Inc.