Head of Air Mobility Group

Metrea; Temecula (CA); On-site; USD 275,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

HSA/FSA

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Parental leave

Generous PTO

Life & disability

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

EAP

Gym membership

Job summary

Metrea, a leader in national security capabilities, seeks a senior executive for the Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB). You will shape the AIRMOB Group’s design, strategy, and operations, building scalable processes and trusted capabilities for US Navy and allied customers.

The role requires extensive aerospace & defense leadership, deep regulatory knowledge, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams while managing risk, budget, and strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in aerospace & defense.
• Deep knowledge of FAA and government procurement.
• Experience with strategic planning and risk management.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of the AIRMOB Group with scalable processes.
• Build industry-specific frameworks, financial models, and digital systems.
• Provide decision support at tactical, operational, and strategic levels.
• Identify growth opportunities and develop talent.
• Foster a unified “One Team” culture.
• Lead development of the Group growth strategy and OKRs.
• Oversee performance reviews and risk management.

Skills

Aerospace & Defense Leadership

AAR Expertise

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Budget Management

Regulatory Compliance

Job description

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Group Overview

Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB)is responsible fordeveloping and deliveringMetrea’saerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tankeraircraftremainmission-ready through effectivelogistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance. By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.

Position Summary

• On the Group - designing and building best-in-class Maintenance & Airworthiness and Tanker Operations Capability Areas (CAs), to include processes, systems and people.
• In the Group - delivering exceptional AAR capabilities to the file teams which in turn support the US Navy and Indian Air Force customers.

H/AIRMOB will serve as a Core Group member of Metrea’s Senior Leadership Team and play a central role in shaping and executing enterprise strategy. This position requires strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to build trust with teammates at every level.

With the focus of “safe, reliable and compliant global tanker operations,” H/AIRMOB will drive the newly redesigned capability areas, creating a cohesive, efficient, and scalable organization to achieve the summits outlined in the Metrea Strategy Map. Above all, the role demands a builder—someone able to lead and collaborate across both the Group and the wider enterprise.

What You'll Do

Developing the Group Structure (“On the Group”)

• Lead the design and development of the AIRMOB Group, implementing scalable, efficient processes
• Build industry-specific frameworks, financial models, and digital systems (in partnership with Operations) to enable workflow automation and meet government contracting requirements
• Provide decision support at tactical, operational, and strategic levels
• Identify growth opportunities in knowledge, skills, and culture; drive professional development and talent acquisition to build a high-performing team of Metreans
• Foster a unified “One Team” culture rooted in humility, aligned with Metrea’s Individual Firmware attributes: Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over Do’er

Providing Group Direction, Guidance & Support (“In the Group”)

• Lead development of the Group’s growth strategy through the annual Enterprise Value Case (EVC) cycle, delivering Strategic Milestones (SMs) and OKRs across AIRMOB Capability Areas (CAs) in alignment with Metrea’s Strategy Map
• Contribute to Metrea’s Campaign Plan (CAMPLAN), Capability Plan (CAPEPLAN), and Marketing Plans (MPLAN) relevant to AAR
• Oversee performance reviews of AIRMOB CAs, ensuring progress against OKRs and KPIs; lead interventions when necessary
• Support reporting (monthly, quarterly, board) with strategic analysis, risk planning, and mitigation strategies
• Actively assess and shape Group risk exposure and opportunity management, influencing internal programs and potential acquisitions

What You'll Bring

• Senior leadership experience in aerospace & defense, with proven ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity through sound judgment. Extensive aircrew background, ideally with AAR expertise
• Deep knowledge of aviation regulatory environments (FAA essential, DCMA desirable), including hands‑on operations experience and ideally prior accountable executive responsibility in the commercial sector
• Working knowledge of FAA Airworthiness and Maintenance procedures
• Proven experience engaging with senior stakeholders (customers, suppliers, partners) to represent the company at the highest levels
• Track record of leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering measurable results
• Familiarity with US government budget cycles and procurement processes
• Flexibility to travel frequently, domestically and internationally, often on short notice
• Strong critical thinking, judgment, and attention to detail; intellectually curious and quick to adapt
• Skilled at identifying key issues, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving to advance long‑term strategic goals
• Highly organized, reliable, discreet, and disciplined, with strong execution skills
• Effective in matrixed, collaborative environments, with the ability to balance competing priorities
• Emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and intellectually humble, with the ability to challenge and refine one’s own thinking

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Eligible to hold TS/SCI security clearance, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and legally authorized to work in the United States.

Position may require passing a government‑administered background check.

Role will require adherence to export control regulations (ITAR/EAR).

Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements.

AAP/EEO Statement

Legal Entity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full‑time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on‑call and available, as business needs require.

Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting.

Travel

Domestic and International travel up to 35%.

Base Pay Range

The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job‑specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full‑time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long‑term success.

Pay Range: $275,000 USD - $350,000 USD

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web‑like, hyper‑collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision‑making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self‑organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.