Director, Mission Applications

North Wind is advancing hypersonic technologies through cutting‑edge research, system development, and flight testing. The team drives innovation in high‑speed aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and mission‑critical components, supporting every phase of hypersonic programs—from R&D to flight testing. The Director, Mission Applications will lead the transition, integration, and field deployment of North Wind’s target mission applications across its digital ecosystem, bridging advanced research and frontline mission execution.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across program execution, software product management, field operations, and business growth.
• Manage cross‑functional, geographically distributed teams of software engineers, AI/ML scientists, systems integrators, and subcontractor partners delivering on high‑consequence DOD, DARPA, and AFRL programs.
• Apply a strong systems‑engineering background, disciplined program‑management expertise, and hands‑on experience executing field trials and customer engagements in sensitive military/defense environments.
• Work closely with the Director of Digital Platforms to ingest core simulation engines, digital twins, and AI models into intuitive, user‑facing mission applications for field personnel, command centers, and operational planners.
• Operational leadership and strategic oversight of North Wind’s portfolio of target mission applications, field deployments, and operational software integration.
• Manage full‑lifecycle program execution ($1 M–$30 M+ value) across DOD and DARPA clients, ensuring performance against schedule, budget, and milestone delivery requirements.
• Function as Product Owner/Product Lead across core mission applications; establish software‑development roadmaps using Agile methodologies (Kanban, FDD) to drive performance, reliability, and delivery speed.
• Direct field trials, on‑site customer engagements, and tactical demonstrations to validate software performance, facilitate field integration, and drive user adoption.
• Lead and support capture efforts, proposal development (BAAs, concept papers, oral presentations, full technical/cost volumes), and growth strategies for applied AI/ML, data fusion, and mission‑focused opportunities.
• Establish software‑development discipline across mission‑application repositories, ensuring DRY principles, modular architecture, robust CI/CD, and human‑readable documentation.
• Direct supervision, resource allocation, talent acquisition, and professional development for program managers, product owners, and field integration engineers.
• Coordinate multi‑organizational teams spanning small businesses, non‑traditional defense contractors, national laboratories, and academic institutions.

Required Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in defense program management, technical product ownership, or field operations within DoD, IC, or national‑security environments.
• 5+ years executing DARPA, IARPA, AFRL, or DHS advanced‑technology programs from concept through field deployment.
• Proven track record leading capture efforts and responding to competitive government solicitations (BAAs, ERIS, multi‑phase oral and written proposals).
• Demonstrated experience acting as Product Owner for multi‑contract software platforms, leading cross‑functional engineering teams in Agile environments.
• Proven background planning and conducting field trials, user evaluations, and on‑site customer integrations for hardware/software systems.
• Direct line‑management experience supervising technical staff, sub‑contractors, and geographically distributed teams.

Technical & Leadership Competencies

• Mission Application Domains – expertise overseeing applications in one or more areas: multi‑sensor data fusion, digital manufacturing/production planning, space situational awareness (SSA), or AI‑driven decision support.
• Agile Software Execution – strong command of Agile frameworks (Kanban, Feature‑Driven Development) to align development roadmaps with complex customer requirements.
• Security & Compliance Frameworks – deep understanding of program execution within regulated boundaries (CUI, CDI, IL4–IL7, CMMC) and multi‑domain security requirements.
• Field Leadership – operational discipline and situational awareness honed in tactical, high‑consequence, or operational defense environments.
• Clearance – active Secret clearance with eligibility for Top Secret/SCI, or an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S.) in Engineering, Technical Management, or a related field.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Prior military operational experience (e.g., EOD, Special Operations, Tactical Data Network/Intelligence Operations) combined with defense‑industry program leadership.
• Experience integrating generative AI, LLMs/VLMs, graph analytics, or digital twins into end‑user operational workflows.
• DAWIA Program Management certification or PMP certification.

Desired Characteristics

• Operational mindset focused on field execution, user experience, and practical software delivery over theoretical models.
• Dynamic leader capable of building consensus across distributed teams, university researchers, and multi‑national defense subcontractors.
• Exceptional communicator adept at delivering high‑stakes customer briefings, leading proposal defenses, and translating complex customer requirements into software features.
• Grounded, objective problem solver who continuously tests assumptions against field reality.