Demo

Compensation Partner, Sr.

AV
Arlington, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/9/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/17/2026
Worker Type

Regular

Summary

Job Description

This position serves as an advisor and strategic partner to the People & Culture team, as well as business managers across the organization. The role is responsible for managing salary and incentive plan administration, market analysis, and for the general development of AV’s compensation program. In addition, the incumbent will lead various projects and processes, including company-wide market studies, compensation training for managers and employees, compensation module enhancements in the HRIS, and compliance. Success in this position requires a unique balance of consultative and analytical skills, as well the ability to step back and see the “bigger picture.”

Position Responsibilities

  • Develop and refine AV’s compensation program, including benchmarking and market studies, the annual compensation process, pay range management, training and education, and the development and enhancement of compensation-related tools.
  • Perform deep analysis on effectiveness and competitiveness of existing compensation programs including a continuous feedback loop with P&C team members and Business Leaders to support recommended future program enhancements.
  • Conduct market studies and analysis to ensure internal equity, external competitiveness, and alignment to our total compensation philosophy, ensuring AV is paying the right roles in the right to way to drive the right behaviors to retain and attract high caliber talent.
  • Develop and foster strong, collaborative relationships. Work closely with critical partners including P&C Business Partners, Business Leaders, and Finance to provide an integrated process which provides a seamless experience and is aligned to our business goals.
  • Administers the annual compensation review cycle, including merit, market adjustments, promotions and incentive processes.
  • Assists in the development and dissemination of effective communication materials that enhance the understanding and value of compensation programs.
  • Partner with Business Partners and Business Leaders on compensation related matters such as offers, job description alignment, promotions, retention strategies and internal transfers.
  • Collaborate with sales leadership, finance, and P&C teams to understand business goals, sales strategies, and performance objectives that drive the design of sales compensation plans. Conduct regular reviews and audits of sales compensation plans to identify areas for improvement, efficiency, and alignment with business objectives.
  • Proactively ensure compensation practices remain compliant by staying up to date with applicable employment-related federal and state statutory requirement (i.e. pay equity, pay transparency, minimum wage).
  • Partner closely with P&C team to ensure compensation is accurately aligned to AV’s total reward philosophy and program, including job architecture, job descriptions, and the annual compensation process.
  • Collaborate with Business Partners to gather information necessary for creating, updating, and maintaining job descriptions. Develop and implement processes and tools to streamline job description management and ensure consistency across the organization.
  • Conduct the due diligence for acquisition targets with respect to compensation and pay issues and develop and help implement the compensation integration strategies and plans.
  • Prepare summaries, reports, metrics, modeling and ad-hoc analyses related to compensation matters.
  • Support and lead other P&C project initiatives as determined by P&C’s strategic priorities.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of compensation experience
  • Extensive experience applying consultative skills as a compensation partner to both Human Resources teams and Business Leaders
  • Strong technical experience, including intermediate to advanced Excel skills, and experience working with various HRIS systems and stand-alone compensation programs
  • Thorough knowledge of compensation practices and processes
  • Ability to conduct comprehensive market pricing studies
  • Knowledge of Affirmative Action, specifically the compensation pieces
  • Experience using Radford or other similar benchmarking tool required
  • Experience with classification and leveling of jobs
  • High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive compensation information
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences
  • Strong problem solving and analytical skills
  • Knowledge of executive compensation principles
  • Strong project management skills
  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Suite, including Word and PowerPoint
  • Quality orientation and attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Aerospace, Engineering and/or Technology industry experience preferred
  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred
  • Familiarity with Workday HCM system preferred

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office environment (constant)
  • Required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$108,275 - $153,615

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.

Salary : $108,275 - $153,615

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