Strategic Growth Programs Director - DE, UAS, SUAS & MST

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services Division is expanding rapidly across multiple mission areas. We are seeking a highly driven Strategic Growth Programs Director to lead business development and strategic market expansion across Directed Energy (DE) , Counter-UAS (CUAS) , and Small UAS (SUAS) domains while assisting in the missile-system technology domain.

This leader will drive enterprise-level growth strategies, cultivate key customer and partner relationships, and position Kratos for long?term success in emerging high-priority markets. The Director will shape opportunity pipelines, lead capture and proposal strategies, influence requirements early, and guide internal/external investments that accelerate system development and deployment.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success in defense business development, a strong technical understanding of directed?energy, counter-threat systems, small unmanned aerial systems and a proven network across the U.S. government, defense industry, and key allied partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Market Leadership

• Lead Kratos' strategic growth initiatives across the DE, CUAS, and SUAS markets and assist in missile-system markets, aligning with joint-service modernization priorities and emerging global threats.
• Identify and pursue adjacent opportunities in small tactical weapon systems, modular effectors, and integrated sensor-to-shooter architectures.
• Develop market strategies that reflect threat timelines, rapid-fielding needs, and customer acquisition pathways (FAR, OTAs, accelerated prototyping programs).

Pipeline Development & Opportunity Shaping

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities across federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, DHS, DOE, and relevant reign Allied organizations.
• Shape requirements and influence capability development early by engaging with key stakeholders and operational communities.
• Use market intelligence to anticipate shifts in U.S. defense spending, capability gaps, and emerging mission requirements in the DE/CUAS/SUAS/missile ecosystem.

Capture & Proposal Excellence

• Lead capture planning, including competitive assessments, win strategies, pricing guidance, teaming decisions, and end-to-end proposal development.
• Ensure proposal compliance with acquisition regulations and customer requirements.
• Support technical writing, pricing, and solution-development activities across bid efforts.

Customer & Partner Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior decision-makers across DoD, DHS, DOE, experimentation labs, test-range communities, U.S. services, and allied partners.
• Partner with industry primes, technology innovators, and mission-focused integrators to expand Kratos' presence in targeted markets.
• Represent Kratos at conferences, trade shows, program-office events, and technical forums.

Internal Collaboration & Special Projects

• Drive priority Division special projects, advancing internal and external investments that support prototype development, demonstration, and transition to Programs of Record.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, advanced development, and production teams to ensure market strategies align with technology readiness, risk posture, and scaling requirements.
• Support strategic planning, internal business case development, and cross-functional alignment for DE, CUAS, SUAS, and missile-system initiatives.

Keyword: CUAS, PEO, JCO,
Required Experience:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 10+ years of experience in business development, acquisition, or program?management leadership in the defense sector.
• Working knowledge of directed-energy systems, CUAS technologies, SUAS platforms, or missile-system architectures.
• Familiarity with government acquisition processes (FAR, DFARS, OTAs) and rapid-fielding pathways.
• Established, active network across DoD, defense industry partners, and key government stakeholders-capable of influencing requirements early in the lifecycle.
• Excellent communication, briefing, and executive-engagement skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 50%.

Preferred:

• Advanced Degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) in Engineering, Business, Physics, or related field.
• Experience with prototype testing, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) environments, flight-test campaigns, or operational fielding of DE/CUAS/SUAS systems.
• Experience shaping and winning major opportunities with RCCTO, AFTC, PEO Missiles & Space, Service DE/HEL offices, DHS C-UAS JCO, or equivalent organizations.

EDUCATION:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related discipline.
• Preferred: MBA, MS, or other advanced degree in a relevant field.

LOCATION:

Huntsville, AL strongly preferred. Other locations are possible depending on candidate experience.

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From: Kratos Defense