Director of Army Aviation Systems

Job Description

Job Brief

Aurora Flight Sciences is seeking an aviation-oriented Program Developer to lead the conceptualization and development of cutting-edge autonomous vehicle programs that will allow the aviation components of the nation’s land forces to successfully operate

Increasingly contested operating environments, new concepts in aircraft/UAV design, and the rise of autonomy and AI are all leading to significant changes in how the US develops, fields, and operates military combat aircraft.

Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in the development and manufacturing of advanced unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles. Our mission is to apply autonomy and robotics to the development, production, and operation of advanced aircraft. During the last three decades, Aurora has designed, rapidly-prototyped, and flown an average of one new vehicle a year for both government and commercial customers. Now, as an independent subsidiary of Boeing, Aurora’s innovation is combined with Boeing’s size and strength, creating an unprecedented opportunity to disrupt the future of aerospace.

Position Overview

Increasingly contested operating environments, new concepts in aircraft/UAV design, and the rise of autonomy and AI are all leading to significant changes in how the US develops, fields, and operates military combat aircraft and weapon systems. Aurora Flight Sciences is seeking an aviation-oriented Program Developer to lead the conceptualization and development of cutting-edge autonomous vehicle programs that will allow the aviation components of the nation’s land forces to successfully operate in these contested operating environments. At Aurora, Program Developers work with multi-disciplinary teams to design, develop, and win ambitious programs that progress from an initial idea through opportunity generation and development of follow on work. The scope of a Program Developer includes product strategy (i.e., engaging with and influencing other organizations within the “ecosystem”, generating win themes, and leading white paper and proposal writing), and product sales (i.e., using specialized knowledge and relationships, engaging customers, and identifying further opportunities). Once programs are won, the Program Developer assists with transition of the program and PMO to early execution, while pivoting to how to win follow-on work. Join our team and change the future!

Specific Responsibilities:

• Envision and advocate for new operational concepts enabled by technology advances. Cultivate opportunities to follow the vision.
• Anticipate emerging capability shortfalls in order to influence future developments.
• Develop relationships that lead to new work and expansion of existing work scope.
• Lead proposal and white paper efforts, acting as the capture lead
• Work with Aurora program managers and engineers to generate new ideas that can be shaped into potential offerings.
• Develop relations with key Government/Defense customers for insight, shaping of opportunities to meet national needs and position Aurora to win future work.
• Interface with and leverage Boeing Global Sales and Marketing and develop and leverage relations with other Boeing units, e.g., Autonomous Systems, Phantom Works, and Boeing Research and Technology Speak, write, and present with credibility and clarity.

Position Requirements:

• Experience with military opportunity capture including proposal writing and/or reviewing.
• Experience working for or with the DoD; specifically, US Army, Marine Corps, and SOF, with an emphasis on the tactical employment of aviation. Aviator rating preferred.
• BS degree in engineering highly desired. Masters is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to easily communicate with a highly technical audience.
• Operational experience in tactical aviation (e.g., Army or SOF rotary wing) is highly desired. Must be able to understand the end use and its environment.
• Program management experience including a deep understanding of program execution.
• Excellent communication skills (speaking, writing, briefing).
• Demonstrated technical creativity.

Travel Requirements: 25%, mostly in the US