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

Key Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development, acquisition, or program-management leadership in the defense sector.
• 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%.

Experience and Skills

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

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related discipline (Required).
• Advanced Degree (MBA, MS, or other advanced degree in a relevant field) (Preferred).

Location

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

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Job Benefits

Pay Transparency: The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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