OverviewThis position description is subject to change at any time as needed to meet the requirements of the program or company.
V2X invites applications for the position of
Director of Program Aviation Operations for the U.S. Department of State (DoS) Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement/Office of Aviation (INL/A) Worldwide Aviation Support Services (WASS) program. This program focuses on providing aviation support for the eradication and interdiction of illicit drugs, training of contractor and host nation personnel, movement of personnel and equipment, reconnaissance, personnel recovery (PR), medical evacuation, security of personnel and equipment, and ferrying of aircraft. Fixed Wing (FW), Rotary Wing (RW) and Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) platforms supported both CONUS and OCONUS:
- F/W: DHC-8; C-208; B-1900
- R/W: HH-60L; HH60; UH-1 ST; UH-1 HII;
- SUAS: Skydio
This permanent full-time position will be CONUS-based out of Melbourne, FL. However, remote work is permissible with visits as needed to customers and program support locations.
Contract Period of Performance: 10 Years
NOTE: Interim employment offered immediately on a consulting basis. Full-time employment contingent upon contract award.ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities:- Direct global DOS INL/A aviation operations across fixed-wing, rotary-wing, ISR, and mission-support platforms, sustaining mission execution rates across deployed operating locations.
- Lead daily flight operations, crew scheduling, mission planning, dispatch, risk assessment, and operational coordination to ensure safe, on-time, and fully compliant mission launch and recovery.
- Provides general management and leadership to operational functions.
- Provides guidance and oversight to operations and mission requirements both CONUS and OCONUS.
- Facilitate all operational requirements supporting mission.
- Maintains liaison with INL/A, associate contract leads, and other stakeholders as required to affect all plans, coordination, briefings, de-confliction, and execution of INL/A directed activity.
- Serve as subject matter experts regarding policy and operational practices.
- Coordinate with government leadership, maintenance, logistics, security, host-nation partners, and contractor teams to align aircraft, crews, and resources with 100% approved mission priorities.
- Monitor mission status, aircraft availability, weather, airspace, crew duty limits, and threat conditions to reduce delays, mitigate risk, and maintain continuous operational readiness.
- Oversee contractor performance against KPIs for mission completion, safety, staffing, response time, and schedule adherence, driving measurable improvements in accountability and operational effectiveness.
- Report daily operational readiness, mission execution metrics, risk items, and resource constraints to senior government stakeholders, enabling timely decisions and improved mission outcomes.
- Improve aviation operations processes by analyzing mission trends, bottlenecks, and after-action findings to increase sortie completion, reduce operational downtime, and enhance program efficiency.
- Tracks performance measures and goals to ensure variances in established procedures are clearly identified and corrective actions defined to ensure the services provided to the customer are of the highest standards and continually enhance the overall mission of the Department of State Air Wing at CONUS and OCONUS locations.
Pre-Award & Proposal Development Support:- Partner with the Capture Manager to shape the overall Program Management, Execution Approach, and technical volumes, ensuring alignment between proposed technical solutions, staffing models, performance metrics, and long-term contract sustainability.
- Lead development of the Program Management, Organizational Structure, Governance, and Performance Management sections of the proposal.
- Validate that proposed maintenance, supply chain, quality, safety, and subcontractor strategies are operationally executable within cost, schedule, and regulatory constraints.
- Collaborate with the Transition Manager to ensure seamless integration between the Transition Approach and steady-state execution plan.
- Work closely with pricing, contracts, HR, supply chain, IT, property, and platform SMEs to ensure labor ramp profiles, indirect support structures, and management controls are realistic and performance driven.
- Participate in solutioning sessions and Black Hat reviews to assess incumbent performance risks, staffing considerations, aircraft divestment complexities, and customer fleet sustainment demands.
- Support color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold), incorporating evaluator-focused refinements and ensuring compliance with PWS and Section L/M requirements.
- Ensure proposed KPIs, aircraft availability metrics, readiness thresholds, safety controls, and reporting structures are measurable, contract-aligned, and executable from Day One.
- Maintain strict traceability between proposal commitments and post-award management processes to minimize performance risk and protect the potential award fee.
- Upon award, ensure rapid conversion of proposal artifacts into executable program management baselines, including staffing plans, governance boards, reporting cadences, and risk registers.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications:- Minimum of 10 years' experience (15 years w/out bachelor's degree) in management and operation of a mixed rotary and fixed-wing aircraft fleet.
- 2,000 hours total flight time and a demonstrated working knowledge of aviation operations (i.e., aerial applications) and knowledge of assigned countries and respective operational environments (i.e., Central / South America, Middle East, MEA, and Caribbean countries).
- Should have experience in at least 1 aviation project of similar scope and at least 15 years overall aviation work experience due to the role as direct interface between INL/A and associate contracts in day-to-day aviation missions.
- FAA Commercial and Instrument Airman's Certificate Airplane SEL.
- Branch 15 Aviation MOS series or another Commercial / military equivalent.
- BA/BS degree or equivalent experience as listed.
Preferred Qualifications:- Prior experience on large-scale CONUS / OCONUS ($100M annual revenue) U.S. Government aviation operations contracts in remote and/or hostile environments.
- Experience managing aircraft divestment or platform sunset activities.
- Spanish Level L-2, R-2 in LATAM Programs
Security Clearance Requirement:- An active SECRET level clearance is required (and/or the ability to acquire prior to contract start).
