Director of Aerospace Program

Confidential; Central (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Indiana seeks a Director of Aerospace & Defense to define market strategy, build customer relationships, advance compliance readiness, and align operations to convert opportunities into scalable, compliant, and profitable programs.

This hands-on leader will build and grow an aerospace and defense business within an established machining organization serving demanding customers with high precision requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading aerospace/defense initiatives and programs.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance readiness.
• Proven ability to build new business segments and strategic customer portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a market-entry and growth roadmap for aerospace and defense.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with OEMs, primes, and tier suppliers; maintain a disciplined pipeline.
• Lead implementation of AS9100, ITAR/export-control, NADCAP readiness where applicable.
• Oversee full commercial lifecycle from engagement to contract negotiation and governance.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Engineering to satisfy customer specs and regulatory obligations.
• Design the organizational model for the aerospace and defense unit and recruit a cross-functional team.
• Represent the company at industry events to boost visibility and credibility.
• Provide data-driven recommendations on priorities, investments, and resource allocation.

Skills

Executive leadership

Business development

A&D supply chain

Regulatory compliance

Proposal development

Education

Engineering degree

Equivalent experience

Job description

We are expanding its precision machining capabilities and building a dedicated aerospace and defense business. The Director of Aerospace & Defense will lead this effort by defining market strategy, developing customer relationships, advancing compliance readiness, and aligning operations to convert opportunities into scalable, compliant, and profitable programs.

This role offers a hands‑on leader the opportunity to build and grow an aerospace and defense business within an established machining organization equipped to serve demanding, high‑precision customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a market‑entry and growth roadmap for the aerospace and defense sector, aligned with our strategy for precision‑machining expansion.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue opportunities with aerospace and defense OEMs, prime contractors, and tier suppliers; establish and maintain a disciplined, risk‑adjusted business‑development pipeline.
• Assess current manufacturing capabilities and lead implementation of the processes, certifications, and quality‑management systems required for sector participation, including AS9100, ITAR and export‑control compliance, and NADCAP accreditation where applicable.
• Serve as the executive relationship owner for aerospace and defense accounts, overseeing the full commercial lifecycle from initial engagement and technical proposal development through contract negotiation, program launch, and ongoing account governance.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Engineering to ensure manufacturing processes, technical documentation, configuration controls, and quality systems satisfy customer specifications, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Design the organizational model for the aerospace and defense business and, as demand scales, recruit, develop, and lead a dedicated cross‑functional team.
• Represent us at industry conferences, trade shows, and association forums to strengthen market visibility, technical credibility, and strategic relationships.
• Monitor market dynamics, customer requirements, regulatory developments, and competitive activity; provide executive leadership with data‑driven recommendations regarding strategic priorities, capability investments, and resource allocation.

Position Requirements

• Demonstrated record of success in business development, program leadership, or senior operational leadership within aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of aerospace and defense supply chains, procurement methodologies, supplier‑qualification processes, quality standards, and applicable regulatory and compliance frameworks.
• Proven ability to establish a new business segment, execute a market‑entry strategy, or develop a strategic customer portfolio, preferably within precision manufacturing or machining.
• Ability to operate effectively in an entrepreneurial, hands‑on environment and design scalable processes, governance structures, and operating disciplines where no established framework exists.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and commercial‑negotiation capabilities, supported by the executive presence required to engage credibly with sophisticated customers, regulators, and industry partners.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline preferred; an equivalent combination of relevant education and industry experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established executive and technical relationships with aerospace and defense OEMs, prime contractors, or tier suppliers.
• Experience leading or supporting aerospace and defense certification, quality‑management system implementation, regulatory‑compliance readiness, customer qualification, or supplier‑approval initiatives.
• Experience in precision machining, complex tooling, advanced manufacturing, or another highly regulated production environment.