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Vice President Unmanned Systems Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VP of Government Affairs

Washington, DC · On-site

$250 - $310/hr

About the Role As Picogrid's first VP of Government Affairs, you will own the company's entire ... You can distill how a hardware-software stack enabling unmanned system orchestration changes the ...

Director Business Development

CA · Remote

$195K - $250K/yr

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS), a division of Kratos Defense, is renowned for its expertise ... The DBD is expected to manage strategic partnerships which either they or the SVP of BD have ...

... systems, and automated CRM workflows. By combining data, technology, and strategy, we deliver ... As we continue to scale, we are seeking a high-impact Vice President (VP) to lead strategic ...

VP, Finance

Loganville, GA · On-site

$205K - $300K/yr

The Vice President of Finance will play a critical leadership role in shaping the financial ... Familiarity with advanced financial software and ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar ...

VP of Programs

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site +1

$215K - $315K/yr

SUMMARY The Vice President of Programs provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the organization's global unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program ...

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Vice President Unmanned Systems information

See salary details

$43.5K

$157.5K

$277.5K

How much do vice president unmanned systems jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president unmanned systems in the United States is $157,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vice president unmanned systems, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vice President of Unmanned Systems, you need extensive experience in engineering, program management, and business development within the aerospace or defense sectors, often supported by an advanced degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, FAA regulations, and project management tools such as MS Project or ERP systems is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic vision, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are essential for driving innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading cross-functional teams in a rapidly evolving industry.

What does a vice president unmanned systems do?

A Vice President of Unmanned Systems leads and oversees the strategy, development, and management of unmanned vehicle programs, such as drones or autonomous vehicles, within an organization. This executive is responsible for ensuring that products and projects meet regulatory and safety standards while aligning with business goals. They work closely with engineering, business development, and regulatory teams to drive innovation, secure contracts, and expand the organization’s market presence in the unmanned systems sector. The role also involves budgeting, resource allocation, and representing the company to clients and stakeholders.

What are the main challenges a vice president unmanned systems typically faces when leading cross-functional teams?

A Vice President of Unmanned Systems often navigates the complexity of integrating diverse teams such as engineering, operations, business development, and regulatory affairs. One of the main challenges is ensuring seamless communication and alignment among these groups while managing fast-paced technological changes and strict compliance requirements. Additionally, the VP must balance long-term strategic planning with immediate project deliverables, often collaborating with external partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge. Effective leadership, adaptability, and a solid understanding of both technical and business aspects are crucial in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Vice President Unmanned Systems vs Director of Unmanned Systems?

AspectVice President Unmanned SystemsDirector of Unmanned Systems
ResponsibilitiesStrategic leadership, executive decision-making, overseeing multiple teams and projectsOperational management, project oversight, team coordination
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree, extensive industry experience, leadership skillsRelevant degree, technical expertise, project management experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive offices, high-level meetings, strategic planning sessionsResearch labs, project sites, team offices
Industry UsageCommonly used in aerospace, defense, and technology sectors for senior leadership rolesUsed across similar industries for senior technical or managerial roles

The Vice President Unmanned Systems typically holds a higher strategic and leadership role compared to the Director of Unmanned Systems, focusing on company-wide vision and decision-making, while the Director manages day-to-day operations and project execution within the unmanned systems domain.

What cities are hiring for Vice President Unmanned Systems jobs? Cities with the most Vice President Unmanned Systems job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Unmanned Systems jobs? The most popular types of Unmanned Systems jobs are:
What states have the most Vice President Unmanned Systems jobs? States with the most job openings for Vice President Unmanned Systems jobs include:
Infographic showing various Vice President Unmanned Systems job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,532 per year, or $75.7 per hour.

Principal Product Line Manager - Unmanned Systems Communications

Silvus Technologies

Irvine, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Silvus Technologies is seeking a Principal Product Line Manager who will report to the Vice President of Product on the Product team. The successful individual in this role will lead the strategy, roadmap, and lifecycle of communications solutions supporting unmanned and autonomous systems.

This role will define and drive the company's product and market strategy for communications used in platforms such as:

  • Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
  • Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV)
  • Maritime autonomous systems
  • Robotic and AI-enabled platforms

The Principal Product Line Manager will serve as the market owner for the Unmanned Systems Segment, responsible for translating emerging operational needs into scalable product capabilities and influencing portfolio investment decisions that position Silvus as the leading communications provider for autonomous platforms.

This position requires a combination of deep technical understanding, market insight, and strategic leadership, with the ability to shape product direction across multiple internal teams and product lines.  It is a role that is highly visible to senior management and influential towards existing and new product revenue areas as well as all levels of customer staff/team members and their system integrators. Direct customer and OEM partner interaction is an ongoing activity. 

SUCCESS FACTORS

The Principal Product Line Manager is responsible for ensuring that customer-driven opportunities are translated into scalable product capabilities that strengthen the long-term Silvus platform rather than one-off solutions. Within the first 12 months this role will:

  • Establish a clear product strategy for the Unmanned Systems Communications Segment.
  • Expand Silvus technology adoption across new autonomous platforms.
  • Drive roadmap decisions that enable scalable integration with unmanned systems ecosystems.
  • Strengthen partnerships with key integrators and platform manufacturers.
  • Position Silvus as a core networking technology for next-generation autonomous missions.

WHY JOIN SILVUS

  • Drive the product strategy and market expansion for our Unmanned Systems Segment at a fast-growing, mission-driven technology leader.
  • Shape the product strategy and market direction for cutting-edge tactical communication systems.
  • Work with exceptional engineers and program leaders on technologies that protect lives and enable critical missions.
  • Play a defining role in scaling one of the most innovative companies in defense technology.

This position is based at Silvus Technologies' Engineering and R&D Office in Irvine, CA, near the vibrant Irvine Spectrum and is on a hybrid schedule.  A minimum of 4 days onsite per week is expected. On-site days are Monday through Thursday, with at least 1 of those days per week spent at Silvus Technologies' headquarters in West Los Angeles, CA.

The following is a list of at least some of the current essential job functions of the position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time at its discretion.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Market and Portfolio Strategy
    • Own the market strategy for Unmanned Systems Communications across defense, public safety, and commercial robotics markets.
    • Identify emerging operational needs, technology trends, and mission requirements driving next-generation unmanned systems.
    • Define how Silvus networking capabilities should evolve to support autonomous and robotic platforms.
    • Develop and maintain a multi-year strategic roadmap aligned with company objectives and market opportunities.
    • Lead portfolio prioritization based on market potential, ROI, and strategic value.
    • Contribute to pricing, positioning, and go-to-market decisions grounded in data and customer insight.
    • Work across multiple product lines to ensure Silvus solutions collectively support unmanned systems use cases.
    • Identify gaps in the portfolio that limit adoption in autonomous platforms.
    • Advocate for platform capabilities that improve scalability, integration, and performance across the unmanned systems ecosystem.
  • Customer Engagement
    • Work closely with Business Development, Sales, and Sales Engineering to shape opportunities in the Unmanned Systems Market.
    • Engage directly with platform manufacturers, defense integrators, robotics companies, and government program offices.
    • Translate real-world operational needs into product requirements and strategic roadmap inputs.
    • Identify partnerships and integration opportunities that expand the Silvus ecosystem.
  • Product Lifecycle Management
    • Oversee lifecycle strategy for Unmanned Systems Communications solutions from concept through launch, growth, and sustainment, ensuring clear definition of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and subsequent releases for hardware, software, and integrated systems.
    • Track product performance including market adoption, customer feedback, and competitive positioning.
    • Identify opportunities for product expansion, upgrades, or next-generation platforms.
    • Serve as the connective tissue among Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to align decisions with business strategy and customer needs (e.g. Partner with Sales to develop compelling product narratives and training; collaborate with Operations to forecast product demands and manage lifecycle transitions).
    • Travel Requirements - up to 25% as needed, to maintain strong customer engagement and relationships.
    • Perform other related duties of which the above are representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in product management, product line management, or technical product leadership.
  • Experience with wireless communications, networking, radio frequency systems, or related technologies.
  • Strong ability to translate operational use cases into scalable product capabilities.
  • Demonstrated experience influencing cross-functional teams including engineering, sales, and business development.
  • Strong technical aptitude and systems-level thinking.
  • Security Clearance: Active U.S. Government SECRET clearance or the ability to obtain one within 15 months of hire.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.
  • All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background check and drug test.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • MBA or advanced Engineering degree.
  • Experience with unmanned systems, robotics, or autonomous platforms.
  • Background supporting defense, aerospace, or government programs.
  • Familiarity with tactical communications, mesh networking, command-and-control systems, or ISR and sensor data transport.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Office environment.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to do the following:
    • Lift equipment up to 20 lbs. for the set-up of demonstrations and testing.
    • Perform bending and reaching movements to place items on lower and higher shelves.