Vice President, General Manager - Aerospace Systems

Saab, Inc.; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision and dental insurance

Generous paid time off

401(k) with employer contributions

Tuition assistance

Wellness resources

Employee stock purchase program

Disability coverage

Holidays and holidays

Job summary

Saab, Inc. Aerospace Systems in West Lafayette, IN seeks a results-driven Vice President, General Manager to lead the site, own P&L, and drive strategic and operational performance for the rear section of the T-7A Red Hawk and future programs.

Reporting to the CEO, you will build U.S. organizational capability, manage a matrix with Saab AB, and shape growth while maintaining regulatory compliance and a strong safety culture across manufacturing, quality, and program execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
• 20+ years of progressive executive leadership experience in aerospace and defense
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations in aerostructures or highly engineered products
• Proven P&L ownership and ability to drive financial and operational performance
• Deep experience in aerospace and defense markets with regulatory and customer environment understanding
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow business in Aerospace and Defense markets
• Ability to define and execute growth strategies, including market expansion and capability development
• Strong executive presence with ability to influence at senior levels
• Experience operating within a global, matrixed organization
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and execution focus
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Responsibilities

• Provide full P&L leadership and accountability for site performance across operations, financials, and strategy
• Champion safety, quality, compliance, accountability and continuous improvement
• Refine and execute the site's strategic roadmap aligned with Saab's global strategy
• Drive manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program execution to achieve performance and regulatory compliance
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team with succession planning
• Partner with U.S. and Saab AB stakeholders to identify growth opportunities and partnerships
• Strengthen integration with Saab's global functions (engineering, R&D, commercial)
• Establish a world-class aerospace design engineering capability at the West Lafayette site

Skills

P&L leadership

Executive presence

Aerospace & defense

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Global matrix leadership

Regulatory compliance

Growth strategy

Leadership development

Communication skills

Education

MBA or advanced degree

Bachelors in business or engineering

Job description

Saab, Inc. Aerospace Systems is seeking a results-driven and dynamic Vice President, General Manager to lead Saab's West Lafayette site. This role is accountable for the overall performance, strategic direction, and long-term growth of the operation, with delegated P&L responsibility and alignment to Saab's global aerospace and defense objectives. Reporting directly to the CEO, Saab, Inc. this executive leads both the strategic and operational execution of the portfolio and works in a matrix environment, with both Saab Inc. and Saab AB leadership to achieve established objectives.

At Saab, Inc. Aerospace Systems, your main priority will be to lead a critical advanced manufacturing operation producing the rear section of the T-7A Red Hawk military trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force and other potential future customers. You will also be accountable for the thoughtful and well-timed growth of the operations into other platforms, customers, and capabilities over time.

The VP, General Manager serves as the senior Saab leader at the site, responsible for delivering on present contracts, driving operational excellence, advancing business growth, and strengthening Saab's presence in the U.S. market. This role plays a critical part in shaping global and domestic strategy, building U.S. based organizational capability, and delivering sustained results in a highly regulated environment in collaboration with Saab AB.

Responsibilities

• Provide full P&L leadership and accountability for site performance, including operational, financial, and strategic outcomes.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Refine, shape, and execute the site's strategic roadmap in alignment with Saab's global aeronautics business strategy.
• Drive operational excellence across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program execution, ensuring performance, regulatory compliance, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead, develop, and evolve a high-performing leadership team; build organizational depth and succession pipelines.
• Partner with U.S. and Saab AB global Business Area Aeronautics stakeholders to identify and capture growth opportunities, including new programs, capabilities, and partnerships.
• Strengthen integration and collaboration with Saab's global functions, including engineering, R&D, and commercial organizations.
• Establish a world class aerospace design engineering capability for Saab in West Lafayette, IN.

Total Annual Compensation Opportunity: Commensurate with Experience

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
• 20+ years of progressive executive leadership experience, with a demonstrated track record of leading complex, mid- to large-scale organizations within aerospace and defense
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations, ideally within aerostructures or highly engineered products
• Proven success with P&L ownership and driving financial and operational performance
• Deep experience in aerospace and defense markets, including understanding of regulatory and customer environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow business in Aerospace and Defense markets
• Demonstrated ability to define and execute growth strategies, including market expansion and capability development
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at senior levels internally and externally
• Experience operating within a global, matrixed organization
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen, paired with the ability to drive execution
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Citizenship Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, a business casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits.

Highlights include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• Generous paid time off, including 8 designated holidays
• 401(k) with employer contributions
• Tuition assistance and student loan assistance
• Wellness and employee assistance resources
• Employee stock purchase opportunities
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

About Us

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. In the U.S., Saab delivers advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in ten U.S. locations.

Saab is a company where we see diversity as an asset and offer unlimited opportunities for advancing in your career. We are also a company that respects each person's needs and encourage employees to lead a balanced, rewarding life beyond work. Saab values diversity and is an affirmative action employer for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Saab is an equal employment opportunity employer; all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran, disability status or any other federal, state, or locally protected category.