Sr. Manager, Graphic Design

Worker Type

Regular

Summary

Job Description

The Sr. Manager, Graphic Design is a hybrid player-coach who is capable of executing complex visual content while mentoring designers, enforcing brand standards, and overseeing multiple projects with operational precision. The role requires a confident communicator who can interface with cross-functional stakeholders, champion design quality, and ensure consistency at scale. This individual must also possess a keen ability to connect visually and strategically with AV’s customers—understanding their operational environments, mission priorities, and how to reflect those insights through design.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead, review, and elevate the work of junior designers and freelancers with a focus on quality and alignment.
• Drive creative direction and uphold AV’s visual identity across concurrent design initiatives and deliverables.
• Clearly communicate design rationale and concepts during internal reviews, ensuring strategic alignment across teams.
• Ensure accuracy, cohesion, and accessibility across all digital and print assets—from initial concept through final production.
• Efficiently manage multiple fast-paced workflows in collaboration with product marketing, comms, and creative leadership.
• Set clear expectations, establish deadlines, and hold team members accountable to maintain momentum and delivery quality.
• Navigate a matrixed, dynamic environment with agility and prioritize effectively amid shifting demands.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, communications, and business development teams.
• Maintain strict adherence to brand guidelines and ensure brand consistency across campaigns, presentations, and collateral.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and track progress through project management tools such as Monday, Asana, Jira, or similar platforms.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• 10+ years of experience in design (including experience in agency, in-house, or high-growth product environments)
• 4-6 years experience in a people leadership role.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across brand, product, campaign, and strategic design work
• Experience designing for technically complex and mission-driven sectors (e.g., defense, government, data platforms, or enterprise software)
• Ability to balance conceptual thinking with hands-on execution and design precision
• Familiarity with systems thinking, information architecture, and human-centered design methodologies
• High-level proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping tools, and collaborative platforms
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire multidisciplinary design teams
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office or remote 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)
  
  

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.
  
  

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$120,686 - $170,940

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. Citizenship required