Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager manages the Manufacturing Engineering Department to provide support to internal and external manufacturing facilities and resolve any manufacturing or related issues on sustaining and new products. Ensures product quality and delivery schedule requirements for mechanical/electrical subassemblies, and final integration and testing of systems. Works closely with the other functional leaders and Program Managers to execute key objectives and programs to meet schedules and budgets. This role will be responsible to shape the strategy, provide strategic leadership, and guide the success of all responsible engineering efforts.
Duties
- Create short and long-term plans that effectively communicate to leadership, operations, and program management tasks to meet critical program milestones for the entire AV operations
- Apply advanced manufacturing processes, model-based manufacturing, and development of manufacturing strategy
- Develop advanced tools to analyze delivery, capacity, costs vs benefits, supply chain, and operations to guide executive decisions in anticipation of change
- Develop and manage strategy for production line product flow, tooling, training and build process and ensure all are updated according the latest design configuration, including estimation and maintenance of capital requisitions
- Leads implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and apply Six Sigma methodology to achieve continuous improvement in productivity, quality, and lead time reduction
- Leverage operational data to identify trends, propose leading indicators, and provide predictive information to steer executive decisions
- Ensure that Manufacturing Engineering operations are validated and well documented, and in compliance with internal regulatory and safety policies
- Develop and manage financial and manpower budget for manufacturing engineering, adhering to established budget parameters
- Change Management leader, lead implementation task forces to implement stages of best practices
- Works on issues of diverse scope where analysis of situation or data requires evaluation of a variety of factors, including an understand of current business trends
- Other duties as assigned
Experience
- 7+ years of experience in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Test Engineering or similar field in Aerospace, Automotive, or Commercial industries. Leadership experience a plus.
- Experience in low to mid volume complex discrete manufacturing a must
- Experience developing and executing department level strategic plan in alignment with high level / corporate strategy.
- Experience in tactical and strategic decision making in a high paced environment.
- Experience developing and managing department level budget and alignment with P&L.
- Experience working new product introduction (NPI) is a definite plus
- Lean Six Sigma manufacturing implementation or use of tools is desired
- Specific experience with printed circuit board assembly, electro-mechanical assembly, calibration and testing processes is desired Familiarity with electro-mechanical manufacturing, drawings, procedures and Bill of Materials is desired
- Experience in Test and Calibration equipment software and hardware is a definite plus
Education
- BS degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar field or equivalent experience as an Engineer in these fields required (Advanced degree preferred)
- Six Sigma certification to a minimum of Green Belt or equivalent problem-solving skills/program with demonstrated improvements results required
Additional Requirements
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing, supply chain management, and quality assurance systems, tools, and procedures
- Demonstrated track record of using “Lean Principals and methodologies” to design production systems and performing improvement projects.
- Organization/planning, communication (oral and written), time management, conflict management, ability to manage stress, deadlines and work independently
- Exceptional data analysis, database maintenance and improvement and report generation with significant quality improvement
- Software Knowledge: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Project), MiniTab, Oracle, Agile, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Visio, C# / OOP using Visual Studio IDE, Visual Basic, LabView / Teststand, MatLab, is desired
- 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 and leveraging change management best practices
- Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity
Physical Demands
- Ability to work in an office and manufacturing 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)
Special Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship required and ability to obtain security clearance
- Occasional travel at times both domestically and internationally, with overnight, out-of-town stays (Up to 10%)
Training Travel Requirement:
- This role requires weekly travel from Salt Lake City, UT to Simi Valley, CA for training for the first three months of employment. Training occurs Monday through Friday, three weeks per month. Travel, lodging, meals, and ground transportation will be provided. After the training period, the position is based in Salt Lake City, UT.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$106,500 - $151,200
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
