Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
The Chief Engineer, Digital Transformation is the overall technical authority for the Engineering Digital Transformation project. The Chief Engineer is accountable for all technical aspects of the EDT project and leads a team of AV engineers and contractors to ideate, conceptualize, develop, launch, and sustain products, processes and infrastructure aspects of the EDT. The Chief Engineer works with AV internal stakeholders and third-party solution providers to develop concepts of operations which feed into the EDT plan to meet business objectives. They will chair the technical review boards and drive all technical requirements of the EDT project.
Position Responsibilities
Serves as the Engineering Authority, providing technical guidance and leadership throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment with project objectives.
Assesses the technical feasibility of the project during the planning phase and provide recommendations to management to address potential risks or challenges.
Interfaces directly with the vendor's technical team and AV's technical teams to ensure the completion and testing of all technical deliverables.
Leads and coordinates teams in resolving deeply technical issues related to engineering infrastructure, including processes and tools.
Oversees the design, development, and implementation of new engineering processes and tools to enhance project outcomes.
Ensures thorough testing and validation of technical components to meet quality standards prior to go-live.
Assists in the development and delivery of training programs to support the adoption and effective use of new processes and tools during and after go-live.
Collaborates with the EDT Program Manager (EDT_PM) to monitor and execute the project scope, cost, and schedule.
Identifies, analyzes, and mitigates technical risks to ensure project success and minimize disruptions.
Provides ongoing support and recommendations for process enhancements and tool improvements to drive long-term project sustainability and efficiency.
Represents and communicates the technical aspects of EDT to internal and external stakeholders
Chairs the technical review board and is the final authority for product documentation and engineering change requests/orders
Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
Bachelor's degree required in a Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering discipline or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience with Engineering infrastructure products, processes and tools
Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in aerospace product design and sustainment
Experience with leading large technical teams through the product lifecycle
Experience in an Agile and Waterfall development environment
Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills
Experience with integrating new capabilities onto platforms, requiring flow-down of requirements to lower-level systems
Experience project planning in terms of schedule, budget, and resource estimations
Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and communicate a vision that inspires and motivates staff and aligns with the business strategy
Ability to build strong relationships within all disciplines within organization
Effective influencing and negotiation skills in an environment in which resources may not be under your direct control
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in an engineering environment
Project Management Experience
Experienced and proficient with MS Office applications and other office productivity tools
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
Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent analytical, time management and organizational skills.
Strong computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Works well with little or no supervision and exercises independent judgement on a regular basis.
Strong ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of complex technical information concerning specific projects or schedules.
Education and/or experience gained in Engineering Digital Environment and Digital Thread
Advanced degree, MBA or MS in a related Digital Environment and Digital Thread
Physical Demands
Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
Travel required to domestic US sites - up to 25%
Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance
Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.
May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.
Special Requirements
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$176,000 - $249,480
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:
T_ _his 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
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.
Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)
