Director of Engineering

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

The Director of Engineering is responsible for all technical aspects of products and leads a team of engineers to develop and sustain products throughout the product lifecycle. The Director will lead the development of new features and improvements as well as lead failure investigations. The Director works with Product Line Managers to develop product roadmaps to meet customer requirements.

Location: Hood River, OR

Position Responsibilities

• Develops and leads a motived multi-disciplined engineering organization • • Drives a disciplined engineering approach to evaluating/testing/choosing new technologies • Sets standards for trade study and objective analyses which enable a review and adjudication of varying concepts • Chairs major development milestones, such as CoDR, SRR, Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) • Effectively plans and manages engineering budgets and project objectives consistent with Product Roadmaps • Manages the engineering resources and staffing level consistent with the business's strategic plan & AOP • Provides technical coaching/mentoring to team and employees • Interfaces with supply chain on all technical matters • Participates in technical evaluations of internal and external technologies in support of business objectives • Coordinates IRAD & CRAD projects • Creates and promotes an environment where our engineers and employees can grow professionally and become the BEST at what they do • Consults MUAS leaders to establish strategic plans and objectives Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers. Interactions frequently involve special skills, such as negotiating with customers or management or attempting to influence senior level leaders regarding matters of significance to the organization • Develops, implements and continuously improves engineering tools, best practices, • Able to travel up to 25% of the time • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering discipline (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, etc.) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; Advanced degree is preferred. • Minimum of 8 – 12 years of demonstrated experience in aerospace product design and sustainment. • Experience with drawings and BOMs; Engineering Change systems; Quality systems for non-conforming parts and corrective action. • Experience with product manufacturing and product configuration processes. • Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in an engineering environment. • Project Management Experience a plus • Experienced and proficient with MS Office applications and other office productivity tools

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Education / experience or aircraft subsystems in R&D environment is preferred • Follows standard practices and procedures when analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. Completes assigned tasks within schedule and budget • Demonstrated ability to learn professional concepts and appropriately applies concepts & procedures to resolve routine issues within the technical discipline • Consistently works within specific requirements and complete tasks under general supervision. 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

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)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$148,000 - $217,875

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

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.