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Worker Type

Job Description

Summary

The Washington Operations Director will develop, coordinate, and implement business development and government relations strategies to acquire, maintain, and increase U.S. Government and International support for AeroVironment (AV) programs. They will work in support of cross-functional teams who are responsible for the identification and strategy of capturing new business and executing current business.

Position Responsibilities

• Represents AeroVironment to the Executive and Legislative Branches of the U.S. Government

• Coordinates and supports AV U.S. Government and International customer interaction in Washington D.C.

• Develops and maintains relationships with the Department of Defense and associated offices and branches, in particular, the United States Space Force, Space Development Agency, Space Rapid Requirements Office, and US Space Command

• Develops and maintains relationships with the Intelligence Community, including the National Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial Agency, National Security Agency, and US Cyber Command

• Develops and maintains relationships with Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice and State; identifies and coordinates opportunities for AV leadership interaction with these Departments

• When required, develops and maintains relationships with Members of Congress, congressional committees and personal staff members; identifies and coordinate opportunities for AV leadership interaction with Congress

• Plans and implements AV business development and congressional engagement strategies; manages resources and consultants and fully complies with lobby laws and lobby disclosure

• Monitors and assures AV awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests

• Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AV leadership and Business Development team

• Represents AV interests to Aerospace, National Defense and International professional organizations

• Regularly interacts with senior management or executive levels

• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

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

• 12 - 15 years of relevant experience in aerospace, national defense activities

• 5 + years experience working congressional activities

• Demonstrated understanding of the Department of Defense resource allocation process

• Demonstrated understanding of congressional oversight process

• Demonstrated expert knowledge of government proposal and program requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of international procurements

• Demonstrated understanding of regulatory requirements for US government programs, as well as international sales

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships

• Able to perform in a rapidly growing organization with rapidly changing requirements and sales targets

• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

• 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

• Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks

• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office 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)

• Occasional travel required

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

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.

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.

ITAR