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Vp Defense Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The VP of Aerospace & Defense Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for a ... contracting environments. * Proven people leader that inspires and motivates leaders and teams ...

VP, Cyber Assurance & Defense

Albany, NY · On-site

$156K - $196K/yr

The Vice President of Cyber Assurance and Defense is responsible for designing, operating, and maturing a comprehensive, risk‐based cyber assurance and defense program for a complex, highly ...

Director, Defense Division Contracts Reporting To: SVP, Defense Division Work Schedule: Hybrid ... Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in contract management within a government contracting ...

VP of Sales, Defense

Everett, WA · On-site

$200K - $275K/yr

The VP of Sales, Defense owns magniX's commercial strategy for applying its aerospace-grade ... Working knowledge of export control regimes (ITAR/EAR), government contracting requirements, and ...

Vice President, Government & Military Business Development Location: Virtual-5, US Sonepar ... Develop national account strategies for EPCs, general contractors, defense contractors and Defense ...

Vice President of Defense Lunar Resources is seeking an experienced defense leader to guide the company's engagement with U.S. and international defense organizations, develop strategic defense ...

Vice President of Defense Lunar Resources is seeking an experienced defense leader to guide the company's engagement with U.S. and international defense organizations, develop strategic defense ...

Vice President of Defense Lunar Resources is seeking an experienced defense leader to guide the company's engagement with U.S. and international defense organizations, develop strategic defense ...

Director, Defense Division Contracts Reporting To: SVP, Defense Division Work Schedule: Hybrid ... Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in contract management within a government contracting ...

Director, Defense Division Contracts Reporting To: SVP, Defense Division Work Schedule: Hybrid ... Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in contract management within a government contracting ...

Showing results 41-60

Vp Defense Contractor information

See salary details

$43.5K

$157.5K

$277.5K

How much do vp defense contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for vp defense contractor in the United States is $157,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a VP Defense Contractor do?

A VP Defense Contractor is a senior executive responsible for overseeing major aspects of a defense contracting company, such as business development, client relations, program delivery, and compliance with government regulations. They lead teams that secure and manage contracts with military or government agencies, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Additionally, they play a strategic role in shaping the company's growth, managing risk, and maintaining strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders in the defense sector.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a VP Defense Contractor?

To thrive as a VP Defense Contractor, you need extensive experience in defense industry operations, program management, and a relevant degree, often accompanied by security clearance. Familiarity with defense acquisition systems, compliance frameworks (like ITAR and DFARS), and project management tools is typical, along with knowledge of government contracting processes. Strategic leadership, negotiation, and strong interpersonal skills set top performers apart in this high-stakes environment. These competencies ensure effective contract execution, regulatory compliance, and the ability to lead teams in delivering complex defense solutions.

How does the role of a VP Defense Contractor typically collaborate with government agencies and internal teams?

As a VP Defense Contractor, you will regularly liaise with government agencies to ensure compliance with regulations, clarify contract requirements, and report on project progress. Internally, you will lead cross-functional teams—including engineering, legal, and business development—to align project deliverables with contractual obligations and organizational goals. Effective communication and relationship management skills are essential, as you’ll often bridge the gap between client expectations and your company’s operational capabilities. This collaborative environment offers opportunities to shape strategic direction and foster innovation within your teams.

What is the difference between Vp Defense Contractor vs Program Manager?

AspectVp Defense ContractorProgram Manager
CredentialsOften requires security clearances, industry certifications (e.g., PMP), and relevant defense experienceTypically holds PMP or similar project management certifications, with security clearances preferred
Work EnvironmentCorporate or government defense contractor settings, overseeing multiple projectsProject-focused environment, managing specific defense programs within organizations
Employer & Industry UsageDefense contractors, government agencies, aerospace firmsDefense contractors, government agencies, aerospace companies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in defense contractingManaging defense projects and programs

The Vp Defense Contractor typically holds a higher strategic leadership role overseeing multiple projects and contracts, while a Program Manager focuses on managing specific defense programs. Both roles require relevant certifications and security clearances, but their scope and responsibilities differ within the defense industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor jobs?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Vp Defense Contractor jobs?

For Vp Defense Contractor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vp Defense Contractor job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 77% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,532 per year, or $75.7 per hour.

Vice President, Defense Tech Global Product Support & Operations

Huntsville, AL • On-site

Edge Autonomy
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

$227K - $303K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the global support enterprise for Redwire Defense Tech's unmanned aircraft systems, including the Stalker and Penguin UAS product families.

  • Oversee support operations such as maintenance, repair, overhaul, field service, flight operations, logistics, training, and technical troubleshooting across multiple regions.

  • Serve as a communication link between customers, engineering, and production teams to support product improvements and reliability.


Job description

WORK LOCATION:Huntsville, AL or San Luis Obispo, CA

FLSA STATUS:Exempt

SALARY RANGE:The anticipated salary range for this role in Huntsville, AL is$227,200to $303,200and $227,000 - $306,800 for San LuisObispo, CA annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, geographicallocation,and internal alignment.

SUMMARY

The Vice President, Defense Tech Global Product Support & Operations is the senior executive responsible for the operational success, readiness, sustainment, and customer experience of Redwire Defense Tech's worldwide fleet of unmanned aircraft systems, including the Stalker and Penguin UAS product families and associated payloads sold through RDT. This leader oversees Redwire's global support enterprise for fielded UAS and payload products, spanning the U.S.-based support for the Stalker fleet, Latvia-based support for the Penguin fleet and Octopus gimbals, and future regional or in-country support organizations established to serve growing international customer fleets.

The position is accountable for ensuring customers can successfully operate, maintain, deploy, and employ their UAS systems throughout the operational lifecycle. Success is measured by customer mission success, fleet availability, aircraft readiness, operational safety, speed of response, effectiveness of issue resolution, customer self-sufficiency, and customer confidence in Redwire Defense Tech and its UAS products. The role is also essential to translating customer lessons and support insights into continuous product improvements and greater reliability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

  • Lead the global support enterprise for Redwire Defense Tech's worldwide fleet of unmanned aircraft systems, including the Stalker and Penguin UAS product families.
  • Oversee U.S.-based support for the Stalker fleet, Latvia-based support for the Penguin fleet, and future regional or in-country support organizations established to serve growing international customer fleets.
  • Ensure Redwire customers can successfully operate, maintain, deploy, and employ their UAS systems throughout their operational lifecycle.
  • Maintain accountability for global fleet readiness, customer technical support, maintenance repair and overhaul, field service, flight operations, logistics and spares, customer demonstrations, training schools and training support, technical troubleshooting, 24-hour/7-day-a-week operational support, and global fleet health and status dashboard maintenance.
  • Manage and oversee two global support enterprises supporting different aircraft products, customers, geographic regions, and operational environments while maintaining common Redwire standards for customer response, safety, technical excellence, readiness, and issue resolution.
  • Serve as a key conduit of communication and data between customers, engineering, and production teams to support quantifiable improvements and advancements in product deliveries and reliability.
  • Develop and evolve the organizational structure, personnel, facilities, processes, information systems, regional support infrastructure, and performance metrics necessary to support an expanding global fleet across multiple customers and geographic regions.
  • Develop and evaluate scalable service delivery models such as Contractor Owned Contractor Operated (COCO) and Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO), establishing permanent or semi-permanent regional support centers, and deploy in-country teams positioned near major customer fleets, including locations near active military combat areas where required.
  • Serve as the primary organizational bridge between operators in the field and Redwire's product, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and business development organizations.
  • Systematically capture operational lessons from Stalker and Penguin customers and translate them into improvements in reliability, maintainability, product design, training, logistics, and future product requirements.
  • Support customer mission success, fleet availability, aircraft readiness, operational safety, speed of response, effectiveness of issue resolution, customer self-sufficiency, and customer confidence in Redwire Defense Tech and its UAS products.
  • Translate lessons learned and customer support needs into ongoing product improvements and reliability advances.
  • Assume all other responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The following are non-exhaustive qualifications for the position:

  • 15+ years of relevant aerospace, defense, aviation, UAS, fleet-support, sustainment or operational experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent military/industry experience.
  • Experience working directly with US and allied military and government customers, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Experience managing a globally installed fleet of aircraft or similarly complex defense product deployed worldwide.
  • Experience with aircraft configuration management and fleet configuration control processes.
  • Experience supporting flight operations, mission execution, and operational readiness activities.
  • Experience establishing 24/7 global technical-support operations.
  • Experience with aviation safety systems and mishap investigations.
  • Experience leading field service organizations across multiple geographic locations including remote and international operators and embedded customer-support teams.
  • Experience establishing organizational processes and infrastructure supporting rapidly growing fleets.
  • Experience managing technical organizations across different cultures and time zones.
  • Strong understanding of aircraft operations, maintenance, logistics, field service, MRO, and lifecycle support.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through urgent customer and operational events.
  • Ability to rapidly resolve customers issues by working effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply-chain, program management, and business development.
  • Ability and willingness to travel extensively internationally and periodically work from Redwire locations and customer sites outside the United States.
  • Ability to deploy rapidly in support of significant customer fleet or operational issues.
  • Ability to satisfy applicable security, export-control, and customer-access requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience deploying and living in an international location to set up and manage a remote in-country aircraft support team.
  • Leadership experience with Group 2-5 UAS platforms
  • Current U.S. Security Clearance or eligibility to obtain one.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECHBENEFITS

  • Matching 401(k)
  • Paid PTO
  • Paid holidays
  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance
  • Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
  • HSA and FSA Options
  • Critical Care Plan
  • Accident Care Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchasing Program (ESPP)

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person's status under the ITAR and the EAR.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computerscreen,while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able tolift upto30pounds as needed.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECHIS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.RedwireDefense Techis committed to providing access, equal opportunityand reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment,itsservices, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an "At-Will" basis.

Employment Type: full-time