VP, Washington Operations (Defense & Aerospace)

Location: Based in Washington, DC / Northern Virginia, United States, with regular travel to Divergent facilities in California and customer sites.

Salary: $282,220–$317,490 USD annually.

Company

Divergent develops integrated engineering and manufacturing systems for demanding industries, including global automotive OEMs and U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

What you will do

• Establish and lead the Washington, DC / Northern Virginia office, including its strategy, operating model, staffing plan, budget, metrics, and compliance framework.
• Represent Divergent in the Washington defense and aerospace community and serve as the principal liaison to the Department of War, Military Departments, defense agencies, Executive Branch agencies, and congressional defense committee staff.
• Build trusted relationships with senior acquisition, requirements, technology, and industrial base leaders, as well as industry partners, think tanks, and trade associations.
• Identify, shape, qualify, and support defense and aerospace business opportunities; develop capture strategies, win themes, teaming plans, and pipeline contributions with commercial, capture, proposal, and business development teams.
• Monitor defense policy, federal budgets, acquisition reform, appropriations, authorization activity, and regulatory developments, advising executive leadership on risks and opportunities.
• Ensure government engagement complies with lobbying disclosure, gift and ethics, procurement integrity, export control, and other applicable requirements.

Requirements

• Current DoD security clearance or ability to obtain and retain clearance within 365 days from submission.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 15 or more years of progressive experience in defense, aerospace, or national security business development, government relations, or senior government service.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic engagements with the Department of War, Military Departments, or other Executive Branch agencies.
• Proven experience identifying and shaping opportunities and contributing to major captures and awards.
• Deep understanding of the defense acquisition process, federal budget cycle, and defense industrial base.
• Established network of senior relationships within the Washington national security community.
• Experience building or leading teams, ideally including standing up a new office or function.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, negotiation, strategic thinking, relationship-building, influence, integrity, judgment, discretion, and advanced communications skills.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, technology, finance, and commercial teams, with results orientation and accountability.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree.
• Experience with government contracting and/or advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, or emerging defense technology companies.
• Familiarity with nontraditional acquisition pathways, including Other Transaction Authorities, SBIR/STTR, and rapid acquisition programs.
• Prior senior service in the Department, a Military Department, or a congressional or White House national security role.
• Experience supporting a growth-stage or venture-backed company.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary with equity plan and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities.
• Paid vacation, sick time, company holidays, year-end shutdown, and paid parental leave.
• HMO and Premium PPO health plans, company-sponsored life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives.
• Collaborative, dynamic, high-performing, fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on innovation and advanced manufacturing.