Vice President, Growth - Kinetic Effects, Defense Sector

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 224,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Vice President of Growth for the Kinetics Business Area in Huntsville, AL. The role leads the growth agenda across hypersonics and cruise missiles, building and guiding a BD and capture team to win large-scale defense programs.

The role requires extensive DoD program leadership experience, deep customer relationships, and a track record of securing multi-hundred-million dollar awards. This position reports to senior Defense Sector leadership and demands strategic vision and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of related business development or leadership experience in defense.
• Strong track record leading BD or growth teams in hypersonics, missiles, or advanced weapons.
• Established relationships with key DoD customers and partners.
• Proven ability to win large complex programs ($100M+ TCV) via full BD lifecycle.
• Experience with multiple acquisition pathways (OTAs, CSOs, RDT&E).

Responsibilities

• Own the full growth agenda for the Kinetics Business Area, including pipeline, qualification, capture leadership, and award outcomes.
• Lead relationships with key customers such as SOCOM, RCCTO, AFRL, DARPA, MDA, and OSD Hypersonics.
• Build and lead a high-performing BD and capture team to achieve near- and long-term objectives.
• Develop capture plans across all phases of the BD lifecycle for high-value Kinetics pursuits.
• Represent Leidos at defense events and collaborate with other sectors to win programs.

Skills

BD leadership

Capture management

Program leadership

DoD familiarity

Executive briefing

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos is seeking a Vice President of Growth for our Kinetics Business area within the Defense Sector. The Kinetics Business Area is the fastest-growing business area in the Defense Sector, delivering cutting-edge hypersonic and cruise missile solutions that are reshaping the modern battlespace. Based in Huntsville, Alabama — the heart of the U.S. missile and hypersonics community — this senior leader will own the full growth agenda for Kinetics, driving pipeline development, capture leadership, and long-term strategic positioning across one of the most consequential mission areas in the U.S. defense industrial base.

This role reports directly to the Defense Sector Growth SVP and works in close partnership with the Kinetics Business Area SVP, Defense Tech Capture team, and other functional leadership to align growth strategy with program execution and customer mission priorities.

THE MISSION

The Kinetics Growth function exists to ensure Leidos wins the programs that matter most in hypersonics and cruise missile development and production— sustaining and expanding Leidos' position as a premier provider of kinetic effects capabilities to DoD. This VP will set the direction, pace, and standard for how the Kinetics Business Area competes and wins, building the customer relationships, pursuit strategies, and team capabilities required to lead in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market.

The Challenge

• Own the full growth agenda for the Kinetics Business Area, with accountability for pipeline development, pursuit qualification, capture leadership, and award outcomes across the hypersonics and cruise missile portfolio
• Serve as the senior growth leader and face of Leidos to key Kinetics customers including the SOCOM, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Air Force, and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) hypersonics programs
• Build and lead a high-performing Kinetics growth team of business development professionals to achieve near- and long-term growth objectives
• Develop and execute capture plans across all phases of the BD lifecycle — from opportunity identification and shaping through proposal submission and award — for complex, high-value Kinetics pursuits
• Develop near- and long-term business strategies that position Leidos for sustainable growth in hypersonic glide vehicles, scramjet propulsion, cruise missile systems, and associated test and evaluation capabilities
• Partner with the Kinetics BA SVP and leadership team to support strategic planning, annual operating plan development, pipeline reviews, bid agenda development, and gate reviews
• Establish, build, and maintain executive-level relationships with government customers, industry partners, and national laboratory partners critical to Kinetics mission areas
• Build and lead industry teams; identify and qualify strategic teaming partners and suppliers essential to competitive win strategies in hypersonics and cruise missile competitions
• Conduct competitive analysis and gather market intelligence to inform pursuit decisions, shape acquisitions, and differentiate Leidos' capabilities and offerings
• Lead and participate in black hat sessions, win theme workshops, proposal reviews, and after-action reviews to continuously improve Pwin and capture performance
• Manage Kinetics Business Area new business funds and BD investment resources in alignment with growth priorities and return-on-investment objectives
• Drive collaboration with other Leidos Defense Sector business areas and corporate functions to bring the full breadth of Leidos technology, capabilities, and mission experience to Kinetics captures
• Represent Leidos at defense industry events, symposia, and government forums relevant to hypersonics, cruise missiles, and kinetic effects.

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of related business development, capture management, or program leadership experience in defense; Master's degree with 12+ years preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading business development or growth teams within the hypersonics, cruise missile, missile defense, or adjacent advanced weapons systems market
• Deep knowledge of and established relationships within the key Kinetics customer community, including SOCOM, RCCTO, AFRL Munitions Directorate, DARPA Tactical Technology Office, MDA, and OSD Hypersonics programs
• Proven track record of winning large-scale, complex defense programs ($100M+ TCV) through disciplined capture management across the full BD lifecycle
• Experience navigating and winning across multiple acquisition pathways including OTAs, CSOs, RDT&E contracts, and Programs of Record in the advanced weapons or hypersonics domain
• Strong understanding of the DoD hypersonics and long-range fires budget, investment priorities, and acquisition timelines, including the FYDP and service-level strategic plans
• Demonstrated leadership experience building and managing high-performing BD and capture teams in a fast-paced, competitive defense environment
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and DoD acquisition policy
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including experience delivering executive-level briefings to C-suite leadership and senior government officials
• Ability to influence constructively and operate effectively at the highest levels of both corporate and government organizations
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior U.S. military experience in aviation, fires, missiles, or a related combat arms or acquisition field
• Experience with Leidos hypersonics and advanced weapons capabilities, or equivalent industry background with a prime defense contractor in hypersonics
• Established relationships within the Huntsville, AL defense community, including Redstone Arsenal tenant organizations, Army aviation and missile commands, and regional industry partners
• Experience with prototype-to-program-of-record transitions in high-technology weapons or propulsion systems
• Formal Shipley capture and proposal training or equivalent large defense contractor capture methodology
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Clearance Required

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. Active TS/SCI strongly preferred.

Pay Range

Pay Range $223,800.00 - $360,000.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.