Marketing Manager III

Worker Type

Job Description
 

Summary
Reporting to the Sr. Manager of Product Marketing, the Product Marketing Manager III is a high-impact, hands-on leader responsible for driving the success of our Defense and Commercial product portfolios. This role owns the development and execution of strategic marketing initiatives that accelerate product adoption, and strengthen customer relationships. The Product Marketing Manager III partners closely with business development, engineering, and program teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling market narratives, manage cross-channel campaigns, and create sales and business development assets that make a tangible impact on the business.

Position Responsibilities

• Owns the strategic planning, execution, and measurement of new product launches and sustainment marketing campaigns, collaborating with key business area stakeholders to ensure alignment with business objectives
• Manages contractors, vendors, and budgets for marketing initiatives, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and timely execution
• Partners with Business Development, Program Management, and Product Line Managers to identify market opportunities, translate customer needs into solutions, and prioritize high-impact growth segments
• Owns assigned marketing budget and ensures alignment with annual operating plan (AOP) objectives
• Defines, tracks, and analyzes marketing KPIs to continuously optimize campaign effectiveness and ROI
• Leads the creation and execution of external communications and messaging strategies that differentiate our products and amplify brand presence
• Builds direct customer insight through trade shows, industry events, and professional societies to refine messaging, inform positioning, and gather actionable market intelligence.
• Analyzes customer, competitor, and market data to identify gaps, opportunities, and positioning strategies
• Drives cross-functional collaboration, transforming ideas into actionable initiatives with measurable impact
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Communications; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 5 – 8 years of experience in product marketing, preferably in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomy
• Deep understanding of strategic product marketing concepts, processes, and best practices
• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously with strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, business development, and government affairs
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) and marketing automation tools such as HubSpot or Campaign Monitor
• Willingness to travel within the U.S. up to 25%

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Technical curiosity and ability to quickly learn complex defense and commercial product solutions
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for building relationships with coworkers, customers, suppliers, and partners
• Confident and professional presentation skills across in-person, digital, and phone formats
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, while thriving in a collaborative team environment
• High ownership mentality—takes responsibility for outcomes, learns from mistakes, and relentlessly drives toward improvement
• Ability to excel in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments where small teams execute broad responsibilities
• Team-oriented with a focus on collective success and the ability to inspire others to achieve shared goals

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a hybrid office environment
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard
   

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 located within 50 miles of an AV office in these following locations:

San Diego, CA, Simi Valley, CA, Pittsburg, PA or Pottstown, PA

Clearance Level
 

The salary range for this role is:

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.

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