Director of Defense (Aviation Programs)

Mid-Continent Instrument Co.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics seeks a Director of Defense (Aviation Programs) to lead sales strategy in the defense aviation market and drive contract acquisitions for DoD and federal customers. The role emphasizes building and maintaining customer relationships, strategic planning, and navigating complex procurement pathways.

The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in business, 10+ years in aviation, 5+ years in supervision, and the ability to obtain a DoD clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of direct aviation experience, preferably with exposure to aviation electrical and avionics systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct supervision experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government and DoD security clearance.
• Experience selling to government customers and defense primes along with an understanding of DoD acquisition processes and contracting.
• Strong program/project management skills.
• Strong record of negotiating contracts.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Organized, focused, and results oriented.
• Problem solver with critical thinking and prioritizing skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• FAA A&P and/or Pilot’s license.
• Develop and implement a business strategic plan for defense groups
• Navigate complex government procurement pathways (such as OTAs, CSOs, consortiums, and traditional FAR-based contracts), leading RFIs/RFPs and pricing strategies
• Coach, mentor, motivate and develop direct reports
• Navigate shifting agency directives to ensure zero disruption to ongoing government programs
• Monitor federal procurement directives, compliance briefs, and defense agency priorities to proactively align the sales pipeline with changing government requirements
• Monitor competitive threats and conduct competitive analysis
• Develop, review, negotiate, and manage business contracts including long-term agreements (LTAs) and product support agreements (PSAs)
• Travel up to 50% annually to meet business needs

Responsibilities

• Drive sales strategy in the defense aviation marketplace with a focus on business development and contract acquisitions for military, DoD, IC, and federal government customers.
• Cultivate new and maintain existing customer relationships.
• Develop and implement a business strategic plan for defense groups.
• Navigate complex government procurement pathways, RFIs/RFPs, and pricing strategies.
• Coach, mentor, motivate and develop direct reports.
• Navigate shifting agency directives to ensure zero disruption to ongoing government programs.
• Monitor federal procurement directives, compliance briefs, and defense agency priorities to align the sales pipeline with changing government requirements.
• Monitor competitive threats and conduct competitive analysis.
• Develop, review, negotiate, and manage business contracts including LTAs and PSAs.
• Travel up to 50% annually to meet business needs

Skills

Presentation skills

Program management

Contract negotiation

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Supervision experience

Aviation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

FAA A&P and/or Pilot’s license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director of Defense (Aviation Programs)

Outside Sales Full Time First/Mid Managers Wichita, KS, US

Salary Range: $140,000.00 To $180,000.00 Annually

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position

COME JOIN MID-CONTINENT!

Where your work is valued—above-market pay, real work-life balance, and a team that feels like home.

As the Director of Defense,you will be responsible for driving sales strategy in the defense aviation marketplace with a focus on business development, and contract acquisitions for military, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence community (IC), and federal government customers. You’ll cultivate new and maintain existing customer relationships. To be successful in this role, you’ll need experience developing service and product programs.

• You have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
• You have a minimum of 10 years of direct aviation experience, preferably with exposure to aviation electrical and avionics systems.
• You have a minimum of 5 years of direct supervision experience.
• You can obtain and maintain a US Government and DoD security clearance.
• You have experience selling to government customers and defense primes along with an understanding of DoD acquisition processes and contracting.
• You have strong program/project management skills.
• You have strong record of negotiating contracts.
• You have excellent presentation skills.
• You are proficient with Microsoft Office.
• You have strong attention to detail.
• You are organized, focused, and results oriented.
• You are a problem solver with critical thinking and prioritizing skills.
• You have excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• You have FAA A&P and/or Pilot’s license.
• Develop and implement a business strategic plan for defense groups
• Navigate complex government procurement pathways (such as OTAs, CSOs, consortiums, and traditional FAR-based contracts), leading RFIs/RFPsm and pricing strategies
• Coach, mentor, motivate and develop direct reports
• Navigate shifting agency directives to ensure zero disruption to ongoing government programs
• Monitor federal procurement directives, compliance briefs, and defense agency priorities to proactively align the sales pipeline with changing government requirements
• Monitor competitive threats and conduct competitive analysis
• Develop, review, negotiate, and manage business contracts including long-term agreement (LTAs) and product support agreements (PSAs) to establish positive partnerships and programs
• Travel up to 50% annually to meet business needs
• We provide above-market pay and a comprehensive benefits package.
• We promote an environment where you can excel in your career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Our facility is climate controlled, clean, organized, and safe. We operate in a professional, light manufacturing environment.
• We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right – every time.
• We have frequent events to keep work interesting. Our food drive is super impressive, we enjoy an annual food truck fest appreciation day, monthly fruit/donut day, employee luncheons throughout the year, wellness challenges with incentives, and frequent ticket raffles for local sporting and cultural events.
• We have a small company feel – even though we’re doing big things!

Founded in 1964, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionicsprovides superior instruments, avionics and power solutions to the global aerospace community. We operate one of the largest maintenance, overhaul and exchange programs in the world, and deliver safe and certified products, using innovative technologies and sophisticated clean sheet designs.

At Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, we are committed to quality, service, integrity, and professionalism. Our employees serve the best customers from all over the world in general, business and commercial, advanced air mobility, defense and special missions markets. In this role, you’ll be an important part of the reason our customers consider us a premier instrument, avionics, and aircraft power solutions provider.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Actual compensation offered within the targeted salary range will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.