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Worker Type

Job Description

Summary

The Senior Program Manager – Cybersecurity & Digital Business Technology (DBT) leads enterprise-wide cybersecurity and regulatory compliance programs that strengthen control maturity, reduce organizational risk, and ensure sustained audit readiness. This role partners closely with Cybersecurity leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to translate regulatory requirements into executable initiatives, drive continuous compliance, and embed security controls into enterprise systems and business operations. The ideal candidate combines deep program management expertise with demonstrated success delivering complex cybersecurity initiatives in regulated environments.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide cybersecurity and regulatory compliance programs focused on strengthening control maturity, reducing enterprise risk exposure, and sustaining continuous audit readiness across multiple business units and technology platforms.
• Own end-to-end delivery of cybersecurity initiatives including scope, roadmap, integrated master schedule, dependencies, risks, financials, and measurable risk reduction outcomes.
• Drive implementation, readiness, and sustainment activities aligned to frameworks such as CMMC, NIST, ISO, SOC, and similar regulatory or contractual requirements.
• Translate cybersecurity regulatory requirements and control standards into structured, executable workstreams across IT, business, and control owners.
• Oversee enterprise compliance posture tracking, control implementation progress, remediation programs, and maturity assessments.
• Lead internal and external audit readiness efforts, including planning, artifact collection, evidence validation, deficiency remediation, and inspection defense support.
• Establish and govern structured evidence and artifact management processes to ensure traceability, version control, accuracy, and continuous compliance.
• Define and monitor KPIs related to cybersecurity risk reduction, control effectiveness, audit findings, training completion, and compliance performance.
• Partner closely with Cybersecurity leadership, IT, Compliance, Legal, HR, and business stakeholders to embed security requirements into enterprise systems and operational processes.
• Integrate organizational change management practices to drive adoption of security controls, policy changes, and regulatory requirements across impacted teams.
• Develop and deliver role-based communication strategies translating technical security requirements into actionable business guidance.
• Partner with Learning & Development to design, deploy, and track cybersecurity and compliance training aligned to control ownership and regulatory obligations.
• Proactively identify security risks, resource gaps, competing priorities, and cross-program dependencies; drive mitigation plans and escalate as appropriate to senior leadership.
• Provide executive-level reporting, risk escalation, financial oversight, and decision support to cybersecurity governance forums and steering committees.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, assessors, consultants, and third-party partners supporting cybersecurity and compliance initiatives.
• Drive standardization, governance enhancements, tooling improvements (e.g., GRC platforms), and continuous improvement across enterprise cybersecurity programs.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 12–15 years of experience leading complex, enterprise-scale programs, including significant experience in cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, or highly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering enterprise cybersecurity initiatives such as compliance framework implementations (e.g., CMMC, NIST, ISO, SOC), audit remediation programs, control maturity improvements, or security transformation efforts.
• Proven ability to lead multi-million-dollar programs involving technical control implementation, policy/process change, and enterprise-wide adoption of security requirements.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity governance models, risk management frameworks, control environments, and audit readiness practices.
• Deep knowledge of program and project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, hybrid), organizational change management principles, and enterprise risk mitigation planning.
• Experience partnering with cybersecurity leadership, control owners, auditors, assessors, and cross-functional stakeholders to drive compliance and risk reduction outcomes.
• Proficiency with enterprise program management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira) and familiarity with GRC platforms or compliance tracking systems preferred.
• Exceptional executive communication, leadership presence, and ability to influence technical and business functions.
• Occasional travel as required.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Relevant certifications such as PMP, PgMP, SAFe, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or similar credentials preferred.
• Strong knowledge of digital adoption strategies, user training, and post-implementation support models
• Committed to AV Values (Trust & Teamwork, Customer Commitment, Ownership & Results, and Innovate & Simplify) and emulates these values in all actions
• 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

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 (Constant)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required. Presently holds or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

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