Technical Manager - Metal Nanoparticles at AeroVironment in WPAFB

Technical Manager - Metal Nanoparticles

Location: WPAFB

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

A technical/scientific manager is a leadership role that combines scientific expertise with management skills to oversee research, development, and technical operations. In fields such as metal nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and application, these professionals guide teams through complex projects, ensure scientific and process integrity, and align technical work with organizational and manufacturing goals—especially as technologies scale from lab to pilot and full production.

Core Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership (Metal Nanoparticles):
  Provide expert guidance on metal nanoparticle design, synthesis routes (e.g., wet chemistry, gas-phase, electrochemical), surface functionalization, and characterization methods (TEM, SEM, DLS, XRD, ICP, spectroscopy). Ensure that experimental methodologies, process conditions, and analytical protocols meet quality, performance, and safety standards.
• Scaling & Production Management:
  Lead scale-up from bench-scale experiments to pilot lines and full manufacturing, translating lab processes into robust, reproducible, and economically viable production workflows. Define and optimize process parameters (throughput, yield, purity, particle size distribution, stability) and oversee technology transfer to manufacturing sites or contract producers.
• Process & Operations Oversight:
  Plan, coordinate, and direct daily operations in nanoparticle production or related materials labs. Review progress against technical milestones and production KPIs, resolve bottlenecks, and prepare technical and operational reports for internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Resource Management:
  Allocate and optimize use of specialized equipment (reactors, dispersion systems, filtration/drying units, cleanroom or controlled environments, metrology tools), facilities, and personnel to achieve R&D and production objectives. Manage maintenance and calibration schedules to minimize downtime and ensure data integrity.
• Team Management:
  Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate scientists, engineers, technicians, and production operators working on nanoparticle synthesis, processing, and quality control. Develop competency in nanosafety, process discipline, and data-driven decision-making.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration:
  Work with engineering, product, quality, EH&S, supply chain, and business teams to integrate nanoparticle technologies into products (e.g., coatings, catalysts, sensors, energy devices). Align technical roadmaps with market requirements, cost targets, and regulatory constraints.
• Compliance, Safety & Standards (Nano‑specific):
  Ensure adherence to regulatory, safety, and quality standards relevant to nanomaterials (e.g., occupational exposure, waste handling, environmental impact, REACH/OSHA/ISO where applicable). Implement and continuously improve nanosafety protocols, handling procedures, and documentation to mitigate risks associated with metal nanoparticle dusts, dispersions, and byproducts.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Masters Degree or PhD in Material Science, Chemistry, Nanomaterials or related discipline (or equivalent).
• 5 to 7 year of demonstrated experience in product development and product life cycle management in chemical and/or nanomaterial production.
• Experience with leading technical teams through the product development lifecycle.
• Experience with drawings and BOMs; Engineering Change Management (ECM); Quality systems for non-conforming parts and corrective action.
• Experience in an Agile and Waterfall development environment.
• Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills to government PMs, Government and Organizational senior leaders.
• Experience project planning in terms of schedule, budget, and resource estimations.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and communicate a vision that inspires and motivates staff and aligns with the business strategy.
• Ability to build strong relationships within all disciplines within organization.
• Effective influence and negotiation skills in an environment in which resources may not be under your direct control.
• Experience with product manufacturing and product configuration processes.
• Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in an engineering environment.
• Experienced and proficient with MS Office applications and other office productivity tools.

Skills and Competencies

• Scientific/Technical Expertise in Nanomaterials:
  Deep knowledge of materials science and nanotechnology, with emphasis on metal nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, Au, Cu, Pt, FeOx): synthesis chemistry, surface chemistry, colloidal stability, functionalization, and structure–property relationships. Familiarity with scale‑up issues such as mixing, heat/mass transfer, contamination control, and batch‑to‑batch variability.
• Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills:
  Ability to diagnose complex issues in nanoparticle production (aggregation, off‑spec particle size, yield loss, contamination, instability) and develop corrective actions using statistical tools, DOE, root‑cause analysis, and process optimization methods.
• Production & Scale‑Up Acumen:
  Experience designing and refining unit operations for nanoparticle manufacturing (reaction, separation, drying, dispersion, packaging), understanding cost drivers, and working within constraints of equipment capability, supply chain, and quality systems.
• Leadership & Communication:
  Motivate multidisciplinary teams, provide clear technical direction, and communicate complex nano‑related concepts (risks, performance data, process changes) to non‑technical stakeholders, executives, and customers.
• Project & Time Management:
  Plan and execute R&D and scale‑up projects efficiently, including timelines for process development, validation runs, qualification builds, and ramp to volume production. Balance long‑term innovation with near‑term production needs.
• Critical Thinking & Decision‑Making:
  Evaluate risks, costs, and benefits of different synthesis routes, materials choices, process changes, and safety controls. Make informed decisions that balance performance, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and business objectives.

Typical Work Settings

• Research & Development (R&D) in Nanomaterials:
  Labs and innovation centers at companies working on advanced coatings, catalysts, sensors, medical diagnostics, energy storage, or electronics that rely on metal nanoparticles.
• Engineering & Manufacturing:
  Pilot plants and production facilities scaling nanoparticle synthesis and integration into downstream products (inks, composites, pastes, powders). Overseeing technical operations in manufacturing lines, nano‑enabled product assembly, or testing labs.
• Technology & Data‑Driven Environments:
  Organizations applying data science and advanced metrology to process control, yield optimization, predictive maintenance, and quality assurance in nanomaterial production.
• Government, Academia & Consortia:
  Leading programs focused on nanotechnology translation, safety standards, and scale‑up demonstrations, often in collaboration with industry and regulatory bodies.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$136,000 - $207,250

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

U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.