Vice President, Defense and Material Solutions

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

At Battelle, we solve the world’s most critical challenges at the intersection of science, engineering, and national security. We are seeking a Vice President (VP), Defense and Material Solutions (DMS) to lead a complex, high-impact business line delivering mission-critical solutions to U.S. defense, intelligence, and national security clients. This is an executive leadership role with responsibility for shaping strategy, driving growth, and delivering results across advanced technical domains that directly support national defense priorities.

The VP is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and business performance of the business line, which includes a diverse portfolio including capabilities in Advanced Materials, Energetics, and Ground Systems. This leader will develop and execute long-term strategic and operational business plans aligned with Battelle’s mission and growth objectives. This role carries full accountability for financial performance, client relationships, staff development, and capability integration across Battelle market sectors.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Develop and implement multi-year strategic and operational business plans that define market focus, growth priorities, investment strategies, and operational objectives.
• Identify emerging defense and national security needs and translate them into differentiated, mission-aligned solutions.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Maintain full responsibility for profit and loss, including gross business volume, net income, cost control, capital investments, and internal research and development (IR&D) funding.
• Establish pricing strategies, investment priorities, and resource allocation plans to maximize profitable growth.
• Ensure the highest standards of project execution, including scope, schedule, cost, and performance.

Client & Market Engagement

• Build and sustain long-term relationships with senior leaders across the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and other national security stakeholders.
• Lead business development activities including opportunity identification, capture strategy, proposal development, and bid/no-bid decisions.
• Monitor client satisfaction and take corrective action to ensure Battelle consistently exceeds expectations.

People & Organization Leadership

• Lead and develop a large, multidisciplinary workforce, ensuring appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and succession planning.
• Establish recruiting strategies, performance goals, and career development pathways for leaders and staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, safety, and ethical conduct across all operations.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant operational and leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant technical or business domain.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex organizations delivering high-consequence technical solutions.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large budgets, investments, and profit/loss accountability.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, government clients, partners, and staff.
• Thorough understanding of defense, national security, or adjacent technical markets, including current and emerging trends.
• Proven ability to lead others in achieving strategic, operational, and financial goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, or business (e.g., Master’s or MBA).

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well‑being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in‑office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in‑office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work‑life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender‑affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry‑leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world‑class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran‑status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit