Associate Vice President, Product Commercialization - Space & Directed Energy

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Company Overview
AV Inc. is a defense technology company specializing in advanced autonomous systems, AI-enabled mission platforms, and next-generation sensing and control architectures. We develop mission-critical capabilities that enhance operational advantage across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
As we scale from advanced prototyping into full-rate production and global deployment, AV Inc. is seeking an Associate Vice President of Product Commercialization to lead the transition of breakthrough technologies into sustainable, high-growth defense programs.

Summary
The Associate VP of Product Commercialization will own the strategy and execution required to move AV Inc.'s products from R&D and demonstration phases into Programs of Record, production contracts, and long-term revenue streams. This executive will bridge product development, business development, capture, pricing, and customer engagement to accelerate adoption across U.S. DoD, allied defense agencies, and select dual-use markets.
This role is both strategic and operational, requiring deep familiarity with defense acquisition pathways and a strong track record of scaling advanced technologies in regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities
Commercialization Strategy
·    Develop and execute AV Inc.'s enterprise commercialization roadmap.
·    Define target markets, priority mission sets, and phased market entry strategies.
·    Establish pricing models aligned to FAR/DFARS structures, IDIQs, OTAs, and FMS channels.
·    Create scalable monetization strategies for hardware, software, sustainment, and lifecycle services.
Transition to Programs of Record
·    Lead the progression from prototype and pilot programs to production awards.
·    Build repeatable frameworks for TRL advancement and operational validation.
·    Partner with Engineering and Program Management to ensure product readiness for procurement cycles.
Market Development & Revenue Enablement
·    Align product strategy with capture and pipeline development.
·    Support major proposals and competitive positioning.
·    Cultivate relationships with primes, integrators, and strategic channel partners.
·    Expand international opportunities within compliance constraints.
Organizational Leadership
·    Build and scale a commercialization organization (product marketing, pricing, transition management, customer success).
·    Define KPIs including transition rate, pipeline conversion, margin expansion, and recurring revenue growth.
·    Serve as a key executive voice in board-level commercialization strategy discussions.
Compliance & Risk Management
·    Ensure adherence to ITAR, EAR, export control, and classified program requirements.
·    Partner with Legal and Contracts to structure compliant international growth strategies.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
·    15+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or national security sectors.
·    7+ years in executive leadership roles with commercialization or P&L ownership.
·    Demonstrated success transitioning advanced technologies from R&D to scaled production.
·    Deep understanding of U.S. DoD acquisition pathways (FAR, DFARS, OTAs, SBIR/STTR transitions).
·    Experience managing large revenue portfolios ($100M+ preferred).
·    Active security clearance preferred or ability to obtain.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
·    Background in space systems (ground + space) and Directed Energy Systems (Optics, Lasers, C3).
·    Experience working with DARPA, DIU, service labs, or rapid acquisition organizations.
·    International defense sales exposure (FMS, DCS).
·    MBA or advanced technical degree.
Leadership Profile
·    Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline.
·    Credible and confident in front of senior defense stakeholders.
·    Able to translate technical innovation into compelling mission and business value.
·    Collaborative leader who aligns engineering, operations, and growth functions.

Clearance Level

 

Top Secret

The salary range for this role is:

$213,500 - $313,950

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 wit