Sustainment & Deployment Operations Manager

AeroVironment is seeking a highly motivated and operationally focused Sustainment Manager to lead sustainment execution, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), and field service operations for advanced Directed Energy (DE), precision tracking, and counter-UAS systems. This role is responsible for overseeing the lifecycle sustainment strategy and operational readiness of deployed systems supporting U.S. Government and defense customers worldwide.

The ideal candidate has experience managing complex defense sustainment programs, coordinating logistics and maintenance activities, leading Field Service Representatives (FSRs), and developing data-driven sustainment reporting and readiness metrics. This individual will serve as a key interface between engineering, program management, operations, supply chain, and deployed customer teams to ensure high operational availability and mission success. This position requires a strong understanding of defense sustainment operations, logistics execution, technical reporting, maintenance planning, and customer engagement in fast-paced operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainment & CLS Leadership

• Lead execution of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) activities for deployed Directed Energy and tracking systems.

• Manage sustainment operations supporting operational, test, and training environments both CONUS and OCONUS.

• Develop and implement sustainment strategies to maximize operational readiness, system availability, and mission effectiveness.

• Coordinate field support activities including maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, spares management, and technical assistance.

• Support transition from prototype systems into production sustainment and long-term lifecycle support.

Field Service Representative (FSR) Management

• Lead and manage a team of Field Service Representatives supporting deployed customer operations.

• Coordinate staffing, deployment schedules, training readiness, and performance management for FSR personnel.

• Ensure FSRs maintain high responsiveness and technical competency in customer-facing operational environments.

• Develop processes and procedures to improve field support consistency and operational execution.

Logistics & Readiness Management

• Oversee logistics planning including sparing, inventory management, repair tracking, provisioning, and supply chain coordination.

• Monitor system readiness metrics, downtime drivers, maintenance trends, and operational availability.

• Coordinate with engineering and production teams on failure investigations, corrective actions, obsolescence management, and sustainment improvements.

• Support configuration management and fleet baseline tracking activities.

Reporting & Data Analytics

• Develop and manage sustainment dashboards, readiness metrics, maintenance reports, and customer deliverables.

• Track and analyze operational data, maintenance actions, reliability trends, and fleet performance.

• Generate executive-level reports and customer briefings related to sustainment performance, logistics status, and operational health.

• Ensure accurate documentation and reporting across maintenance, logistics, and sustainment activities.

Customer & Program Coordination

• Serve as a primary sustainment interface with U.S. Government customers, operational units, and program offices.

• Support Program Managers with sustainment planning, contract execution, and customer engagement.

• Participate in program reviews, readiness reviews, logistics planning meetings, and operational support discussions.

• Coordinate across cross-functional teams including engineering, supply chain, operations, quality, and manufacturing.

• 8+ years of experience supporting defense sustainment, logistics, field support, or Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) programs.

• Direct experience working with U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and/or U.S. Air Force customers in operational, test, sustainment, or program execution environments.

• Experience managing Field Service Representatives (FSRs) or deployed operational support teams.

• Experience with sustainment reporting, maintenance tracking, logistics management, readiness metrics, and operational data analysis.

• Strong organizational and program execution skills in dynamic operational environments.

• Experience supporting DoD customers and defense acquisition or sustainment programs.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities across operational, engineering, logistics, and customer support functions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief customers and executive leadership.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, reporting tools, and maintenance/logistics tracking systems.

• Ability to travel up to 25-40% as required.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related field preferred, but not required.

• Experience supporting Directed Energy, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), targeting, radar, tracking, or counter-UAS systems.

• Prior military logistics, sustainment, maintenance, or operational support experience.

• Experience supporting systems deployed in austere or operationally active environments.

• Familiarity with reliability metrics, sparing analysis, repair cycle management, and lifecycle sustainment planning.

• Experience with configuration management and technical baseline control.

• Understanding of DoD sustainment frameworks, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), and lifecycle support models.

• Existing Secret or TS/SCI clearance preferred.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Mission-focused leader with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Ability to thrive in high-tempo operational environments.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.

• Collaborative leadership style with customer-first mentality.

• Passion for supporting advanced defense technologies and operational mission success.

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment

Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

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 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)