Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems
📍 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona / Remote Flexibility Available
🏢 Work Model: Remote with Travel Requirements
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🔐 Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Clearance Required at Time of Hire
🔒 CI Polygraph Preferred (Must be eligible and willing to obtain post-hire if not currently held)
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $200,000 – $290,000
(Depending on experience and qualifications)Full comprehensive benefits package
Relocation assistance available for ideal candidates
Interview travel reimbursement provided
📍 Location & Travel Expectations
The role can ultimately be performed remotely with travel as needed
However, the first 3 months will require significant onsite presence in Scottsdale to support onboarding, stakeholder integration, and operational ramp-up
Following this initial period, candidates may be based remotely but must be willing to travel when required for program, customer, and leadership engagements
🚀 The Opportunity
A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Business Segment Director to lead a portfolio of advanced national security and space mission programs supporting critical missions globally.
The portfolio includes technologies and programs related to:
Data networking & secure data transport
Cybersecurity & high-assurance cryptography
Mission-critical space systems
Satellites & embedded mission technologies
Secure communications & networking platforms
This executive leadership role oversees high-value development and production programs and is responsible for strategic growth, operational execution, customer engagement, financial performance, and organizational leadership across a highly complex classified portfolio.
The ideal candidate is a proven defense industry executive with deep expertise across space systems, secure technologies, avionics, cybersecurity, cryptographic solutions, or embedded mission systems, combined with strong operational leadership and business development capabilities.
🔧 Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth
Lead and expand a portfolio of mission-critical defense and space programs
Develop and execute short- and long-term business growth strategies
Identify and capture adjacent and new business opportunities
Drive business development and customer engagement initiatives
Support strategic portfolio growth within national security and classified environments
Program & Operational Leadership
Oversee execution of complex development and production programs
Manage financial, operational, schedule, and customer satisfaction objectives
Ensure successful delivery across highly classified and technically complex environments
Balance mission urgency, execution discipline, and customer expectations
Lead operational performance across multiple programs and business initiatives
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as senior interface to government and defense customers
Build trusted relationships across:
Space systems organizations
Cryptographic and cybersecurity communities
Networking and avionics sectors
Certification and mission authorities
Communicate effectively with executive, operational, and technical stakeholders
Represent the business segment with senior internal and external leadership
Organizational & Team Leadership
Lead and mentor high-performing engineering and program leadership teams
Drive accountability, collaboration, and organizational alignment
Support transformation and change management initiatives
Foster an inclusive, innovative, and mission-focused culture
Build and sustain high-performing cross-functional teams
Technical & Mission Leadership
Support programs involving:
Satellites and space mission systems
Secure networking solutions
High-assurance cryptographic systems
Embedded mission technologies
Secure communications platforms
Collaborate across engineering, operations, and customer teams to deliver mission success
Support Agile development environments and innovation initiatives
Identify opportunities for AI-enabled operational improvements and efficiencies
✅ Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required
15+ years of leadership experience within defense contracting or related national security environments
Proven experience managing:
Complex development programs
Production programs
Large portfolios or business segments
Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Space systems
Satellites
Cryptography
Cybersecurity
Secure networking
National security systems
Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire
Ability and willingness to obtain CI Polygraph clearance
U.S. Citizenship required
⭐ Preferred Background
Embedded systems or avionics experience
Experience supporting compartmented programs
Agile development environment experience
Existing relationships across aerospace and defense communities
Experience operating within large matrix organizations
Strong financial and operational leadership capability
Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives
🛠️ Core Skills
✔ Strategic Planning
✔ Business Development
✔ Program Execution
✔ Space Systems Leadership
✔ Cryptographic Solutions
✔ Cybersecurity
✔ Financial Management
✔ Customer Relationship Management
✔ Change Management
✔ Team Leadership
✔ Defense Contracting
✔ Agile Development
✔ Operational Leadership
✔ National Security Programs
🎯 Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an executive-level aerospace or defense leader who:
Brings deep expertise across mission-critical national security programs
Understands complex space mission systems and secure technologies
Has successfully led large organizations through growth and transformation
Combines strong operational execution with strategic business leadership
Is highly customer-facing and trusted within classified defense environments
Thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability mission environments
Demonstrates strong leadership presence, communication, and stakeholder management capability
🌟 Why This Role Stands Out
Lead highly strategic national security and space mission programs
Influence cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure space systems
Significant executive visibility and organizational influence
Opportunity to shape the future of secure space mission capabilities
Join a highly respected defense and aerospace organization supporting critical global missions
Strong long-term growth and leadership opportunity
📋 Additional Details
Travel required based on program and customer needs
Director-level executive leadership position
Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates
Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance and be eligible to obtain a CI Polygraph
Remote flexibility available following initial onboarding period
Recruiter Summary
This is a highly visible executive leadership opportunity within a premier aerospace and defense environment supporting advanced national security and space mission programs. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex classified portfolios involving secure communications, cybersecurity, cryptography, satellites, and mission-critical technologies while influencing long-term strategic growth and operational direction across the organization.
Ideal candidates will bring a blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical credibility, customer engagement experience, and deep understanding of classified defense environments.