Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
The Product Line Chief Engineer is the overall technical authority for Future Missile Development Programs within the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Business Unit. The PLCE is accountable for all technical aspects of related products and leads a team of engineers to ideate, conceptualize, develop, launch, and sustain products throughout the total product lifecycle. This includes building the teams for execution of programs and projects as they are defined. The PLCE works with Senior Engineers, Customers, and Leadership to develop concepts of operations which feed into product roadmaps to meet business objectives. The PLCE chairs technical reviews and drives the technical requirements
Position Responsibilities
· Personifies the AV pillar of “Innovation”.
· Provides technical input to strategic planning, bid/proposal, and supplier evaluations for growth opportunities to include new starts, P3I, and any other related pursuits.
· Functions as the Technical Interface for strategic partnerships related to IAMD missile developments
· Leads the technical team that will efficiently and effectively fulfill program technical, schedule and cost requirements and drives process improvements
· Chairs technical reviews and is the final authority for product documentation and engineering change requests/orders
· Collaborates with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure technical specifications, as designed, are managed/controlled and flow through the entire value chain
· Responsible for all technical aspects of the product
· Supports the development of plans for product IRAD and sustaining projects through proper work decomposition and skills assignment to project work tasks
· Develops and mentors high-performing engineering teams
· Leads multi-discipline engineering activities and mentors engineers to improve technical and leadership skills
· Partners with functional leaders to drive process improvements throughout the engineering development processes
· Works with other Engineering Managers to staff and prioritize engineering tasking across various development efforts
· Leads root cause investigations and rolls out corrective actions (RCCA)
· Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications
· Master Degree or PhD in a Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering discipline (or equivalent).
· Experience with Defense products and customers, especially in C-UAS products
· Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in product design and sustainment
· Strong missile defense system experience
· Ability to obtain a Secret level clearance
· Experience with leading large 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 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
Desired Qualifications
· Education / experience in R&D environment is preferred, especially in RF field
· 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 technical expertise in as many of the following areas as possible:
o Missile design/architecture
o Missile launcher design/architecture
o Energetics design (solid rocket motor, warhead, related safety devices)
o RF, to include high power amplifiers, signal conditioning, and SDRs
o AI/ML
o Image processing
o Digital signal processing
o Robust mechanical design for military/defense sectors
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 25%
Special Requirements
· U.S. Citizenship required
· Existing DoD Secret security clearance preferred
· Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.
· Location: Huntsville, AL
Clearance Level
The 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: 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 al
avav