What are the responsibilities and job description for the Washington Operations Director position at AV?
Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
The Washington Operations Director will provide support to the Government Affairs organization for matters that relate to Federal Government policies and funding, Actions include researching and analyzing legislation and regulations to help AeroVironment influence the Federal resource allocation process. Coordinate customer advocacy and lobby actions. Engage with legislators and staff implementing policy and authorizing and appropriating federal funds. The Washington Operations Director is the lead information source for congressional activities, providing guidance and recommendations to AeroVironment senior leaders.
Duties
Coordinates and supports AeroVironment’s U.S. Government and International customer interaction in Washington D.C.
Monitors and assures AeroVironment awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests
Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AeroVironment leadership and Business Development team
Monitors and provides AeroVironment with Congressional Mark Up results of annual U.S. Government Budget Requests; assures U.S. Government-funded AeroVironment programs are fully funded by the congress
Analyzes pending and/or proposed legislation/regulations (including amendments) by identifying and tracking proposals and routing information to AeroVironment subject matter experts for review
Coordinates and supports AeroVironment leadership visits to Washington DC
Manages AeroVironment Political Action Committee to assure compliance
Maintains and cultivates personal relationships with congressional staff
Maintains network to communicate with internal and external stakeholders and entities (e.g., government organizations, customers, coalitions, business associations)
Coordinates visits by elected officials and staff to AeroVironment
Represents company at selected events
Drafts reports and documentation (e.g., employee labor reports, expense reports, local/state/Federal reporting requirements)
Other duties as assigned
Experience
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum 8 - 12 Years’ Relevant Experience
Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Experience working with and partnering with cross-functional teams on projects and initiatives
Basic knowledge of aerial loitering munitions, small and medium UAS, and UGV preferred
Additional Requirements
Advanced degree preferred
Experience interacting with senior business leaders and government customers
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Congressional, Regulatory or Administration office
Experience working on grassroots advocacy programs on behalf of industry or specific programs and/or legislation
Experience working within a fast-paced team environment, which required strong communication skills to frequently interact with leadership or internal and external customer representatives
Demonstrates strong verbal, writing, and computer skills
Exhibits high level of organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
Possesses strong decision-making skills and attention to detail
Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives; delivers message to Garcia (“A Message to Garcia,” Elbert Hubbard’s essay on initiative, first publication 1899)
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office 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)
Clearance Level
Secret
The Salary Range For This Role Is
$145,000 - $205,800
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
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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.
Regular
Job Description
The Washington Operations Director will provide support to the Government Affairs organization for matters that relate to Federal Government policies and funding, Actions include researching and analyzing legislation and regulations to help AeroVironment influence the Federal resource allocation process. Coordinate customer advocacy and lobby actions. Engage with legislators and staff implementing policy and authorizing and appropriating federal funds. The Washington Operations Director is the lead information source for congressional activities, providing guidance and recommendations to AeroVironment senior leaders.
Duties
Coordinates and supports AeroVironment’s U.S. Government and International customer interaction in Washington D.C.
Monitors and assures AeroVironment awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests
Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AeroVironment leadership and Business Development team
Monitors and provides AeroVironment with Congressional Mark Up results of annual U.S. Government Budget Requests; assures U.S. Government-funded AeroVironment programs are fully funded by the congress
Analyzes pending and/or proposed legislation/regulations (including amendments) by identifying and tracking proposals and routing information to AeroVironment subject matter experts for review
Coordinates and supports AeroVironment leadership visits to Washington DC
Manages AeroVironment Political Action Committee to assure compliance
Maintains and cultivates personal relationships with congressional staff
Maintains network to communicate with internal and external stakeholders and entities (e.g., government organizations, customers, coalitions, business associations)
Coordinates visits by elected officials and staff to AeroVironment
Represents company at selected events
Drafts reports and documentation (e.g., employee labor reports, expense reports, local/state/Federal reporting requirements)
Other duties as assigned
Experience
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum 8 - 12 Years’ Relevant Experience
Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Experience working with and partnering with cross-functional teams on projects and initiatives
Basic knowledge of aerial loitering munitions, small and medium UAS, and UGV preferred
Additional Requirements
Advanced degree preferred
Experience interacting with senior business leaders and government customers
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Congressional, Regulatory or Administration office
Experience working on grassroots advocacy programs on behalf of industry or specific programs and/or legislation
Experience working within a fast-paced team environment, which required strong communication skills to frequently interact with leadership or internal and external customer representatives
Demonstrates strong verbal, writing, and computer skills
Exhibits high level of organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
Possesses strong decision-making skills and attention to detail
Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives; delivers message to Garcia (“A Message to Garcia,” Elbert Hubbard’s essay on initiative, first publication 1899)
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office 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)
Clearance Level
Secret
The Salary Range For This Role Is
$145,000 - $205,800
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.
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 is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.
Salary : $145,000 - $205,800