We are seeking a Strategic Capture Senior Director with demonstrated results to lead growth initiatives in the aviation spanet and related technologies, to include manned and unmanned segments, across all customer sectors, including defense, commercial, civil, and international spanets. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in aviation systems, with technical expertise in system operations, command and control, communications, safety and national security. The candidate should also possess a proven track record of driving strategy to define new aviation-related system methodologies and approaches and be capable of leading and capturing associated new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to expand our portfolio in the aviation spanet of components, sub-systems and systems.
• Lead the capture of new business opportunities with defense, commercial, civil, and international customers.
• Collaborate with profit & loss, engineering, strategy, and business development teams to define new products and system solutions.
• Collaborate with profit & loss, engineering, strategy, and business development teams to shape customer requirements and influence procurement strategies.
• Lead key and support proposal development efforts, including capture planning, teaming strategies, and pricing strategies.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, customer meetings, and proposal orals.
• Work with government relations and strategy teams to monitor spanet trends and customer needs to shape long-term business planning and investment decisions.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including Department of Defense (War) and Intelligence agencies, federal agencies including Federal Aviation Administration, state and local agencies, international agencies, commercial providers, and large system primes.
• Drive growth through both traditional and emerging segments such as integration of manned and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the national and military airspaces, awareness and protection from nefarious and unwanted UAS in the airspace, integrated aviation systems using autonomy and artificial intelligence.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Physics, Business, or related field (Masters preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of business development or program management experience in the aerospace/space industry.
• Deep knowledge of aviation systems, aviation command and control and communications, aviation safety and national security.
• Familiarity with acquisition processes for government (e.g., FAR/DFARS) and commercial spanets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex strategy and capture efforts and win competitive bids.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25.
• Top Secret security clearance 

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 youre 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