Vice President, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS)

Vice President, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS)

LOCATION: Huntsville, AL

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: N/A

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: As Needed  

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Vice President, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). The Vice President, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems leads Astrion’s most critical mission: designing, integrating, and delivering next-generation combat capabilities that work in the real world. This role owns the full lifecycle of advanced warfighter systems from problem definition and requirement shaping through rapid prototyping, integration, and operational deployment ensuring Astrion remains at the bleeding edge of capability development across C-UAS. The position serves as a direct bridge between the warfighter, acquisition community, and emerging technology ecosystem, delivering decisive capability advantage in contested and ambiguous environments. 

The Vice President handles transforming complex operational problems into deployable, mission-ready systems that deliver measurable battlefield advantage. This leader operates at the intersection of Warfighter need, acquisition execution, and advanced technology integration. They will lead high-performance teams to build capabilities where none exist, integrate systems that were never designed to work together, and execute missions where success is uncertain but essential. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Education
• Master’s Degree required (e.g., MBA, M.S., or M.Ed. equivalent)
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Professional military education and/or acquisition certification strongly preferred:
• DAU Program Management Level III or equivalent
• Army Acquisition Corps or equivalent experience
• Core Attributes (Non-Negotiable)
• Operator-first mindset: understands what matters in combat
• Builder mentality: creates capability, not just ideas
• Fearless execution: takes on hard problems others avoid
• Credibility across echelons: respected from operator to senior leadership
• Independent leadership: requires minimal oversight, drives outcomes
• Relentless focus on mission impact
• Senior military leadership experience (Army, Agency, or Joint environment strongly preferred), ideally as a former combat arms officer 
• Demonstrated experience in DoD acquisition, capability development, or program management 
• Proven leadership in C-UAS, or air/missile defense systems 
• Experience leading cross-functional teams delivering operational capabilities 
• Direct involvement in fielding or deploying systems into operational environments 
• Demonstrated success in high-risk, high-ambiguity initiatives 
• Deep understanding of Warfighter operations and mission needs, acquisition pathways and constraints, system integration challenges across domains

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Experience with organizations such as:
• Army Futures Command / Maneuver Center / RCCCTO / CPE Autonomy
• PEO Missiles & Space or similar program offices
• Joint or interagency task forces (e.g., C-UAS or homeland defense missions)
• Background in:
• Software-enabled warfare and agile development approaches

RESPONSIBILITIES

• WARFIGHTER CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
• Identify and define critical operational gaps and opportunities across C-UAS and multi-domain operations to include commercial and national infrastructure, allies and foreign mission partners 
• Translate market segment needs into clear, executable capability pathways 
• Demonstrate thought leadership in the conceptualization and development of next-generation systems including C-UxS, IAMD, and payload integration
• RAPID PROTOTYPING, EXPERIMENTATION & FIELDING
• Execute programs under rapid acquisition pathways (MTA, OTA, rapid prototyping frameworks)
• Lead concept èMVP è operational deployment cycles
• Oversee field experimentation, red teaming, and iterative refinement
• Deliver capabilities at the speed of relevance, not traditional acquisition timelines
• SYSTEM-OF-SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
• Lead integration of sensors, effectors, and C2 systems into cohesive kill chains
• Ensure interoperability across Joint and coalition systems and legacy and next-generation architectures
• Integrate into operational environments including systems such as FAAD, TAK, IBCS, and emerging frameworks
• OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT & MISSION EXECUTION
• Lead deployment of integrated capabilities into real-world operational and expeditionary environments
• Ensure systems perform under contested electromagnetic environments, complex terrain and urban conditions, real-world rules of engagement and constraints
• Own the “last mile” between technology and combat effectiveness
• WARFIGHTER ADVOCACY & STRATEGIC INFLUENCE
• Maintain deep, trusted relationships from tactical operators to senior Pentagon leadership
• Serve as a credible voice for the warfighter in capability development decisions
• Influence requirements, funding priorities, and acquisition direction
• LEADERSHIP/SHAPING OF ELITE TECHNICAL TEAMS
• Build and lead small, high-performance teams focused on solving hard problems
• Foster a culture of ownership, speed, and innovation under pressure
• Lead efforts where the path is unclear and the probability of success is uncertain
• EXECUTION UNDER AMBIGUITY
• Take on initiatives with uncertain outcomes and high operational impact
• Turn high-risk efforts into decisive wins
• Operate effectively in environments where requirements are evolving, technology is immature, and timelines are compressed 

IMPACT STATEMENT

• Success in this role means:
• Astrion becomes the go-to organization for solving the hardest warfighter problems
• Capabilities move from concept to fielded reality faster than competitors
• Warfighters receive systems that work when it matters most
• Astrion is recognized as a leader in C-UAS warfare