Segment Director- Aerospace - #253088

Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Segment Director for our Aerospace and Defense segment.

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for commercial and government customers. We provide cradle-to-grave services for primary and secondary composite structures. This position is located in our San Diego, CA office and reports to the VP of Programs.

Position Summary:

Lead our defense sector initiatives, managing relationships with prime contractors and DoD clients while overseeing the execution of complex composite manufacturing programs.

Essential Functions:

• Ownership of Strategy, Business Development, and Capture Management across all Defense programs
• Monitor and interpret DoD budget cycles, appropriations, and strategic priorities (FYDP, NDAA focus areas, OTAs) and advise leadership on shifting federal investment areas
• Serve as the primary interface between Rock West and key defense stakeholders, ensuring program performance, strategic growth, and compliance with defense standards and regulations
• Create annual revenue growth targets and budgets
• Manage key company metrics within segment, including Orders, Sales, Earnings, Direct Application, and IR&D
• Manage a team of direct reports including program managers and product managers
• Determine hiring plans and personnel needs to support budget and growth plans
• Develop strategies to grow existing customer base and target and capture new customers, including customer management using Salesforce
• Identify and drive growth in company-wide functional groups
• Recommend Cap Ex budgets
• Recommend and direct internal R&D/IRAD programs to support innovation and segment growth. Identify and pursue funded opportunities that align with the company’s composite capabilities and defense technology roadmaps.
• Engage with Marketing Team to develop segment specific marketing efforts, including website pages, press releases, and trade shows
• Support as acting Program Manager for programs as necessary
  
  
  

Non-Essential Functions:

• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Required Education and Experience:

• BS or BA degree in an engineering or materials science discipline; OR more than 15 years’ experience in development of manufacturing processes of advanced materials
• Minimum of 8 years of technical leadership experience
• Ability To Lead Growth in The Business Segment: >2X In 3 Years
• Strong And Creative Strategic Thinker, Planner, Executer
• Build A Team - Pursue Level 5 Leadership (Improvement)
• At least 10 years’ of industry experience, prefer composite backgrounds
• Subject matter expertise in Defense, including technical product requirements, industry markets & current events, and key customers
• Proven ability to align technical offerings with government priorities and funding streams
• Passion For The Products
• Ferocious Appetite For Learning
• What's Going On In The Industry
• What Technology Is Differentiating, Strategic, And How It Can Leverage Growth
• Network – Become Known Industry Leader / Expert In The Field
• Business Acumen / Expertise
• Knowledge Of How To Leverage Current Resources And Capability – Increase ROA
• Growth Opportunities / Ideas (Find Them Or Create Them)
• Set Financial Expectations, Cost To Achieve (People, Cap Ex, Technology) And Schedule To Complete
• Ability To Prioritize – Opportunities, Costs, Probability, Timing, Risk Analysis, With Off Ramps
• Track Record Of Execution And Growth (Winning And Completing Profitability)
• Experience in communicating with customers
  
  

Perks and Benefits:

• 100% Employer Paid Medical and Dental
• Annual Bonus
• 401K - 5% match
• Employee Stocks Option Program
• 9/80 work schedule
• 8- paid Holidays
• PTO: Max. 4-weeks after 5 years of employment
• $2,500 tuition reimbursement
  
  
  

Compensation:

The pay range for this position falls within $150,000 to $190,000. The final compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other factors permitted by law.

Why should you want to work with us? Rock West Composites cares about our employees! Not only do we offer great benefits to our full-time employees (Medical & Dental 100% employer paid, Vision, Paid Time Off and 401K match), we offer a fun and friendly working environment!

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law. Rock West Composites holds employees safety as a high standard and strictly enforces a No Drug and Alcohol Policy and pre-employment and random drug testing