Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Summary

The role of Manager, Advanced Industrialization plays a pivotal role in bridging product development and scalable, efficient manufacturing. Their focus is on ensuring that new products are designed for manufacturability and introduced into production with minimal risk, maximum efficiency, and robust quality. This role is critical in organizations aiming to modernize operations, ramp up production, and maintain a competitive edge

Position Responsibilities

Lead the industrial readiness for new product introductions (NPI), ensuring production lines, equipment, and processes are validated before launch.

Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to influence product designs that meet cost, quality, and volume goals (DfX: Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, Cost, etc.).

Drive Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments and risk mitigation plans.

Develop, standardize, and implement advanced manufacturing processes and automation solutions.

Identify and deploy innovative technologies (robotics, additive manufacturing, advanced inspection, etc.).

Improve yield, reduce cycle times, and eliminate waste through Lean and Six Sigma methods.

Support Industry 4.0 initiatives by integrating smart manufacturing tools (IoT sensors, MES, digital work instructions, AR/VR for training).

Implement digital twins, predictive analytics, and process simulation for new production lines.

Define and source production equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products.

Ensure scalability, repeatability, and robustness of manufacturing assets.

Act as a central liaison between Design Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program teams.

Lead cross-functional readiness reviews and participate in gate reviews during the product development lifecycle.

Evaluate and qualify contract manufacturers and suppliers for industrial capability.

Drive capacity and capability planning for internal and external manufacturing sites.

Strong background in mechanical/electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering.

Expertise in DfX, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation technologies.

Proven experience in NPI, process validation, and ramp-up planning.

Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, and digital manufacturing platforms

Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Minimum of 8 years of experience in mechanical, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering.

Minimum of 3 years of successfully leading manufacturing teams within a product development environment. 

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Expertise in DfX, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation technologies.

Proven experience in NPI, process validation, and ramp-up planning.

Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, and digital manufacturing platforms.

Strong organizational and time management skills

Proven adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments

Strategic thinker who anticipates change and fosters team alignment

Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared success

Ownership-driven, continuously learning, and improvement-focused

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)

The salary range for this role is:

$136,807 - $194,040

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.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

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. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.