Director of Defense Growth & Strategy

Neya Systems; Warrendale (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 165,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Neya Systems seeks a Director of Defense Growth & Strategy to build long-term opportunity development with DoD stakeholders, focusing on autonomy and robotics programs that align with Neya/ARA capabilities. This senior role requires extensive DoD expertise and independent leadership on high-impact efforts.

You will drive early shaping, lead briefings to government decision-makers, and coordinate with engineering leadership to align internal R&D with DoD demand signals.

Qualifications

• Requires 12–15+ years? of DoD senior-level experience and a bachelor’s degree (or 10–12+ years with a master’s).
• Proven track record shaping program requirements and acquisition approaches for autonomous systems or related tech.

Responsibilities

• Establish senior-level engagements with DoD organizations focusing on autonomy and robotics.
• Shape requirements, budgets, and pathways for autonomy and robotics programs early in their lifecycle.
• Lead development of win strategies and discriminators for autonomy/robotics pursuits.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Senior relationships

DoD domain knowledge

Technical strategy

Policy & acquisition knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Engineering or higher

Tools

PPBE knowledge

POM knowledge

Defense acquisition frameworks

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Defense Growth & Strategy drives long-term opportunity development across key DoD stakeholders, with emphasis on identifying and shaping autonomy and robotics programs that align with Neya/ARA’s capabilities. Operating at the T12 Principal Professional 2 level, this role represents Neya/ARA as a senior technical and strategic partner to government leadership, shaping requirements and acquisition approaches to position the company for sustained growth in autonomy and robotics. This position requires strong DoD expertise, senior-level relationship skills, and the ability to work independently on complex, high-impact efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain credible, senior-level engagements with DoD organizations, including PEOs, PMs, requirements officers, S&T leaders, and technical authorities, with a focus on autonomy and robotics mission areas.
• Drive early opportunity shaping by informing requirements, budget trajectories, and acquisition pathways for autonomy and robotics programs long before formal release.
• Drive strategic engagement efforts to identify autonomy- and robotics-related mission requirements, emerging capability needs, and future program trajectories.
• Lead the development of win strategies and competitive discriminators for major autonomy and robotics pursuits, exercising sound judgment in pursue/no-pursue determinations.
• Collaborate with Capture Managers to maintain alignment between pre-RFP shaping work and subsequent capture execution for autonomy and robotics programs.
• Prepare well-substantiated white papers and technical briefs that present Neya/ARA capabilities in autonomy, robotics, modeling and simulation, and AI/ML, and support government program development.
• Lead senior-level briefings that communicate autonomy and robotics technical capabilities to government decision-makers, industry partners, and organizational leadership.
• Engage with engineering leadership to shape internal R&D and product investments based on DoD autonomy and robotics demand signals.

Expectations

Knowledge & Expertise

• Applies advanced technical principles and contributes to the development of new concepts at an organizational scale.
• Recognized authority within the industry, with the ability to influence direction across multiple technical areas.

Direction Received

• Operates with minimal oversight; determines objectives, strategies, and approaches for complex assignments.
• Decisions at this level have major impact on programs, customers, and organizational long-range goals.

Problem Complexity

• Solves highly complex problems requiring creativity, innovation, and strategic insight.
• Ensures solutions support long-term organizational objectives.

Internal & External Impact

• Acts as a prime internal and external representative for technical, business, and strategic matters related to assigned domains.
• Regularly conducts senior-level briefings for government and executive leaders.

Education & Experience

• Typically 12–15+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 10–12+ years with a master’s degree.

Required Qualifications

• BS or MS in Engineering, Political Science, National Security, or a related field.
• 15–25 years of senior-level experience within the DoD ecosystem, including military, government, or industry leadership roles.
• High-level proficiency in PPBE, POM, and defense acquisition structures, enabling effective engagement with senior stakeholders.
• Proven track record of shaping program requirements and acquisition approaches for major defense initiatives, ideally involving autonomous systems, robotics, or advanced technologies.
• Established, trusted relationships with senior leaders across key DoD commands (e.g., AFC, NAVSEA, AFMC).
• Proven track record of independently driving work forward in agile, high-tempo settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in program leadership roles at DARPA, DIU, or other service-level R&D organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with Congressional stakeholders overseeing defense authorization and appropriations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of autonomy-related technologies, including modeling and simulation, AI/ML, and vehicle operating system architectures.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $165,000–$235,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelor of Engineering or better in Engineering

Experience

Required

• 15-25 years: BS or MS in Engineering, Political Science, National Security, or a related field; 15–25 years of senior-level experience within the DoD ecosystem, including military, government, or industry leadership roles.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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