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SVP, Loitering Munitions Systems (Business Unit)

AeroVironment

AeroVironment

Simi Valley, CA, USA
USD 321k-471,975 / year
Posted on Sep 11, 2025

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

Summary

AV is looking to hire an SVP, Loitering Munitions Systems (LMS). This senior executive will be responsible for driving business growth, operational excellence, and strategic execution across a rapidly evolving and high-impact business unit of our Precision Strike and Defensive Systems Group.

The SVP, LMS will oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of loitering munition products and programs, from concept development and customer engagement to manufacturing, delivery, and sustainment.

This role requires deep domain expertise in aerospace and defense, a proven track record of managing large-scale, technically complex P&L portfolios, and the ability to align product innovation with national security priorities and emerging threat environments.

Position Responsibilities

  • Develops and executes the strategic vision and long-term growth roadmap for LMS

  • Owns and delivers on the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) delivering consistent growth and margin improvement; adjusting strategy as needed to achieve targets. Oversees product strategy and design evolution to maintain a competitive advantage

  • Ensures the successful execution of development, production, and sustainment programs with a focus on customer and quality metrics achievement

  • Ensures compliance with all applicable government regulations (e.g., ITAR, EAR, FAR/DFARS), internal policies, and ethical standards

  • Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with key customers and government agencies

  • Influences and partners with Business Development in strategic capture efforts; identifies and pursues adjacent markets and technology applications to expand revenue streams

  • Creates and drives organizational excellence through a team of high performing leaders, with a focus on professional growth, strong leadership and technical bench strength

  • Frequent domestic and international travel

  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

  • Minimum15 years of related experience in defense, aerospace, or technology, with deep knowledge in loitering munitions, uncrewed systems or similar

  • At least 7-10 years experience in a people leadership role

  • Demonstrated success leading high growth P&L business units

  • Deep knowledge of U.S. DoD procurement processes, international defense markets, and classified programs

  • Strong relationships with senior defense officials, military services, and acquisition stakeholders

  • Proven ability to lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across program execution and business development

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Advanced degree, MBA or MS is highly preferred

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write with persuasion

  • Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances

  • Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees

  • Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision

  • Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change

Physical Demands

  • Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:

  • Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating

  • May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling

Special Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required

  • Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required

  • Ability to obtain Secret clearance with the ability to obtain Top Secret clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$321,000 - $471,975

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.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.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

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.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.