Director of Air & Space Force and Federal Civilian Growth/Capture and Operations

Start Date: January 2027

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.

The combined organization operates as a multi-entity aerospace and defense technology and tech-enabled services and manufacturing enterprise positioned for scalable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation

OVERVIEW

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Remote, Washington, D.C., Virginia, or Maryland

Travel: 20-30%

We are seeking a senior-level leader to serve as Director of Air & Space Force and Federal Civilian Operations and Growth/Capture. This individual will be responsible for operational execution, employee development, contract performance, and profit-and-loss accountability across Air Force, Space Force, and Federal Civilian portfolios. The Director will lead full lifecycle growth, capture, and strategic business development efforts, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and cross-portfolio leadership.

This role combines operational and delivery oversight with customer engagement, opportunity capture, and growth strategy execution. The ideal candidate brings deep Air Force, Space Force, and/or Federal Civilian customer knowledge, a proven record of capture success, and the ability to convert growth strategy into disciplined operational and financial results.

Operational Execution Leadership:

• Organize and develop leaders and managers to ensure disciplined execution of services, products, and contract deliverables across portfolios and programs while supporting employee engagement and performance.

• Oversee contract execution to ensure high-quality delivery in alignment with performance requirements, schedules, cost terms, and profitability objectives.

• Guide teams to deliver efficient, high-quality work that reinforces program excellence and client satisfaction.

• Drive proactive recruiting, hiring, and development of qualified personnel to meet mission and program needs.

• Foster a collaborative, mission-focused culture dedicated to supporting clients and the warfighter.

Air & Space Force & Federal Civilian Growth/Capture Leadership:

• Develop and execute full lifecycle growth and capture strategies across Air Force, Space Force, and Federal Civilian sectors, including active pipeline development, management, opportunity shaping, and bid execution.

• Identify, qualify, and prioritize opportunities across major commands, program offices, and mission areas.

• Lead full capture lifecycle for strategic and organic pursuits, including coordination with delivery SMEs, solution architect teams, corporate BD resources, and finance.

• Develop competitive win strategies, teaming approaches, and pricing inputs in coordination with executive leadership, operations, and finance.

Operational Alignment & Execution:

• Ensure capture strategies are executable, scalable, and aligned to Aether’s delivery capabilities and workforce strategy.

• Partner with operations teams to support post-award transition, contract startup, and ongoing program performance.

• Provide input on organizational structure, staffing approaches, and growth scalability.

• Identify process improvements that strengthen integration between BD, capture, and operations.

Customer & Industry Engagement:

• Build and sustain trusted relationships across Air Force, Space Force, Federal Civilian customers, industry partners, and teammates.

• Represent Aether as a senior leader in customer engagements, industry events, and strategic discussions.

• Monitor service-specific mission priorities, budgets, POM trends, and acquisition strategies to inform growth planning.

• Help mature Aether’s BD and capture processes, tools, and governance models.

Clearance: Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of experience

• Demonstrated experience in program and contract management with profit-and-loss responsibility.

• Proven success growing service-oriented government contracting businesses, ideally supporting Air Force, Space Force, or Federal Civilian customers.

• 6+ years leading or supervising business development, capture, or growth teams.

• Established record of successful capture wins and pipeline management across varied opportunity types.

• Deep understanding of Air Force/Space Force or Federal Civilian acquisition environments, contracting vehicles, and program offices.

• Strong relationships with service-specific government customers and industry partners

• Demonstrated experience and understanding of the Shipley Process.

• Direct experience leading proposals, responses, pricing, and related activity.

• Strong writing ability and capability to support technical support solutioning

• Masters degree, preferred

$180,000 - $200,000 a year

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility Aether Aerospace allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our unique mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. Employment benefits include health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave and retirement and savings.

Aether Aerospace 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.