Forward Deployed Lead (Air and Missile Defense)

Arxlight

$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10-15+ years of experience in defense programs, particularly integrated air and missile defense systems
  • Proven leadership in forming and managing high-performing technical and operational teams
  • Deep technical expertise in air and missile defense systems and sustainment
  • Strong technical acumen with a focus on sustainment system development and implementation
  • Demonstrated work ethic and commitment to mission-critical outcomes
  • Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
  • High level of integrity and accountability, with strong mission focus

Responsibilities

  • Develop and lead sustainment programs, including maintenance and sparing strategies
  • Establish and scale a high-performing post-production organization
  • Design and execute global support models for operational customers
  • Collaborate with program managers and leadership to align sustainment and system strategy
  • Engage in business development for U.S. and international customers
  • Ensure system readiness and lifecycle performance through data-driven practices
  • Interface with government stakeholders and industry partners for mission success
  • Drive continuous improvement in sustainment operations

Benefits

  • Opportunity to build and lead a critical function from the ground up
  • Direct impact on national and global security missions
  • Collaborative environment with experienced leadership and cutting-edge technology
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package
Full Job Description
Position SummaryWe are seeking an experienced and driven Forward-Deployed Engineering Leader to build and lead an industry-leading post-production organization. This is a hands-on role building products, systems, and a Post Production Team. This role will be responsible for the full lifecycle sustainment strategy and execution of advanced air and missile defense systems, including maintenance, sparing, training, and forward-deployed support. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with proven leadership in defense programs and a track record of building high-performing teams in complex, mission-critical environments.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and lead comprehensive sustainment programs, including maintenance concepts, sparing strategies, and training systems for air and missile defense platforms
  • Establish and scale a high-performing post-production organization, including field support, logistics, and reach-back capabilities
  • Design and execute forward-deployed support models for operational customers globally
  • Partner with technical program managers and executive leadership to align sustainment strategies with system design, production, and deployment
  • Support business development activities, including shaping, capture, and execution for U.S. and international customers
  • Ensure readiness, reliability, and lifecycle performance of deployed systems through data-driven sustainment practices
  • Interface with government stakeholders, operators, and industry partners to deliver mission success
  • Drive continuous improvement across sustainment operations, incorporating feedback from fielded systems


Required Qualifications
  • 10-15+ years of experience in defense programs, with a focus on integrated air and missile defense systems
  • Demonstrated leadership experience building and managing high-performing technical and operational teams
  • Deep technical expertise in air and missile defense systems and their sustainment
  • Strong technical acumen paired bias toward developing and implementing sustainment systems.
  • Demonstrated work ethic and commitment to delivering mission-critical outcomes
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across technical teams, executives, and external stakeholders
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment
  • Impeccable integrity, accountability, and mission focus
  • Demonstrated record as a team player
  • Possess, or have the ability to get, a Secret Clearance
  • Passion for advancing integrated air and missile defense capabilities

Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with tactical and operational sustainment in deployed environments
  • Experience working with international partners
  • Experience supporting program capture, execution, and customer engagement efforts
  • Background spanning both government and defense industry roles
  • Ability to get a FAA Part 107 license

Why Join Us
  • Opportunity to build and lead a critical function from the ground up
  • Direct impact on national and global security missions
  • Collaborative environment with experienced leadership and cutting-edge technology
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package

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