Senior Technical Lead - Air Launched Effects & Aircraft Survivability

Newport News, VA, USA | Salary | 140,000-160,000 per year | Full Time

Start Date: August 2026

JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

OVERVIEW

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Newport News, VA or Huntsville, AL

Aether Aerospace is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Lead to provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise supporting U.S. Army Aviation modernization initiatives. This position serves as a trusted advisor to Government customers and internal engineering teams across Air Launched Effects (ALE), Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE), Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), payload integration, Electronic Warfare (EW), and advanced aviation technologies.

The ideal candidate combines deep Army Aviation operational experience with Army acquisition knowledge and systems engineering expertise to help guide programs from concept development through fielding while supporting strategic customer engagement, technical planning, and cross-functional integration.

ROLES:

• Serve as the technical advisor for Air Launched Effects (ALE), Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE), Electronic Warfare (EW), payload integration, and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) initiatives.

• Provide subject matter expertise supporting U.S. Army Aviation customers throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

• Collaborate with Government program offices, engineering teams, industry partners, and military stakeholders to develop technical solutions supporting mission requirements.

• Support systems engineering activities including requirements development, technical evaluations, integration planning, risk identification, and capability assessments.

• Assist with the development and review of acquisition documentation including:

• Capability Development Documents (CDD)

• Capability Production Documents (CPD)

• Initial Capability Documents (ICD)

• System specifications

• Interface agreements

• Technical reports

• Engineering documentation

• Provide technical input during design reviews, milestone reviews, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and customer working groups.

• Support payload integration activities across multiple Army Aviation platforms.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and provide recommendations supporting modernization initiatives.

• Coordinate across engineering, logistics, test, configuration management, cybersecurity, and program management organizations.

• Develop technical briefings and present recommendations to senior military leaders, acquisition officials, and executive leadership.

• Support business development efforts by identifying future customer requirements and technology opportunities.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Clearance: Active Secret clearance

• Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aviation, Computer Science, or related technical discipline. 10+ years of experience supporting Army Aviation programs.

• Experience supporting Army Acquisition programs.

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:

• Air Launched Effects (ALE)

• Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE)

• Electronic Warfare (EW)

• Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

• Payload Integration

• Aviation Mission Systems

• Experience supporting Program Executive Office Aviation (PEO Aviation), PM Aviation, or related Army organizations.

• Experience collaborating with Government program offices, engineering organizations, and operational stakeholders.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience briefing senior leadership.

JHNA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.