Product Line Director at AeroVironment

Moorpark, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Defense, Unmanned SystemsIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum of 15+ years’ relevant experience
Experience taking 3 major systems to market in a low rate or full rate production environment
Proven track record of taking ownership and driving results – self-starter and self-directed
Demonstrated experience managing profit and loss in a technology company
5+ years experience managing development budgets
Experienced in, and comfortable with, presenting to executive leadership
Experienced in product road mapping, R&D, and product sustainment activities
Knowledge of UAS systems and products, with a track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously

Responsibilities

Holds complete responsibility, accountability, and authority for multiple SUAS product lines
Leads specific product lines through entire lifecycle, sunrise to sunset
Provides leadership on new product introduction activities with engineering and operations and ensures alignment with the Go-to-Market plans
Effectively balances customer and business needs when planning and retiring products
Trains, coaches, mentors other product line managers
Establishes, communicates, and achieves buy-in for product line strategies
Works with customer programs to manage new pursuits and contract negotiations
Provides guidance and direction for new business pursuits and proposal efforts
Collaborates with Marketing and Business Development to define product pricing, promotion, placement, and preferred features
Collaborates with stakeholders to develop Product Requirements
Consults with CTO office and/or engineering on latest technologies and their inclusion within SUAS product roadmap(s)
Manages prioritization and trade-offs among projects to effectively lead the SUAS portfolio, achieve a balance of products, and address resource needs
Interfaces and collaborates with customers to understand concept of operations and problem
Creates buy-in for the product vision both internally and with key customers
Leads fiscal year budgeting for product line R&D and sustainment activities and holds budget accountability for their respective product lines
Evaluates addressable markets, risks, opportunities, and competitors to support current and future business pursuits
Provides leadership guidance to the execution teams working within the product line
Establishes, tracks, and analyzes product line performance metrics and takes action to address issues and/or opportunities
Ensures project and customer data is protected in accordance with ITAR, security classification guides and company proprietary information procedures
Manages organizational and/or customer conflicts, finds a win-win for the business and the customer
Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments. May supervise the activities of others
Evaluates and establishes efficient policy and procedures for the Product Line team, consistent with AeroVironment’s Quality Management Systems
Change leader and drives efforts to improve product development, manufacturing, cost and quality
Active listener who can effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders
Anticipates world events and can develop solutions, or mitigations, to address possible scenarios
Other duties as assigned

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Product Lifecycle ManagementProduct RoadmapProgram ManagementEngineering LeadershipGo-to-Market StrategyBusiness DevelopmentContract NegotiationProduct RequirementsBudgetingSUASCustomer CollaborationMentoringStrategic Planning

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary or compensation for the Product Line Director role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this Product Line Director position remote or onsite?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills and experiences are required for the Product Line Director?

The role requires strong leadership in product lifecycle management, strategic planning for SUAS product lines, collaboration with engineering, operations, customers, and executives, and expertise in budgeting, market evaluation, and roadmap development.

What is the company culture or work environment like at AeroVironment for this role?

The environment emphasizes leadership, collaboration across teams like engineering, operations, marketing, and business development, innovation in SUAS products, and adherence to quality management systems.

What makes a strong candidate for the Product Line Director position?

Strong candidates have proven leadership in managing full product lifecycles, experience balancing customer needs with business goals, ability to mentor teams, and skills in strategic roadmap development and cross-functional collaboration.

AeroVironment

Develops autonomous robotic systems for defense

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment develops and sells autonomous robotic systems that can perform various missions without human intervention. These systems are designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risks to personnel, and provide valuable data to users. The company primarily serves government agencies, defense organizations, and commercial clients, focusing on the defense and aerospace sectors. AeroVironment stands out from its competitors by emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility in its business practices, which not only helps the environment but also builds loyalty among employees and customers. The company's goal is to lead the market in intelligent robotic systems while promoting sustainable practices and creating new business opportunities.

Monrovia, CaliforniaHeadquarters

1971Year Founded

$20.3MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Robotics & Automation, Aerospace, DefenseIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision

Health Savings Account

401(k) Account

Alternative Work Schedule

Educational and Tuition Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Sick Leave Donation

Time Off

Travel Assistance

Company Sponsored Events

Risks

Competition from European drone companies like Parrot may impact market share.

US-China trade tensions could disrupt AeroVironment's supply chain.

BlueHalo acquisition poses integration risks and management distraction.

Differentiation

AeroVironment specializes in unmanned aircraft systems for defense and commercial markets.

The company focuses on sustainability and innovation in autonomous robotic systems.

AeroVironment's acquisition of BlueHalo enhances its defense technology capabilities.

Upsides

Increased demand for Western-made drones boosts AeroVironment's market share.

BlueHalo acquisition enhances AeroVironment's competitive edge in defense technology.

Customizable AI UAVs attract new military contracts with enhanced adaptability.

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