Director, Air Vehicle Portfolio

Title:

KBR’s Mission Engineering organization delivers mission‑critical engineering, integration, and lifecycle support solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense. With deep expertise across mission engineering, modeling and simulation, cyber‑enabled transformation, air vehicle integration, and sustainment, KBR partners closely with government customers to enable operational readiness across manned and unmanned aviation platforms. KBR is committed to the highest standards of ethics, data security, and responsible information management in support of national security missions.

The Director, Air Vehicle Portfolio is a senior leadership role responsible for the execution, growth, and long‑term performance of a diverse $50M–$80M portfolio supporting manned and unmanned aviation programs to the US Navy. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across flight test, systems engineering, integration, and lifecycle support efforts, ensuring disciplined program execution while driving sustained portfolio growth aligned with customer priorities and KBR strategic objectives. The Portfolio Director serves as the primary senior interface to key government customers, internal executives, and functional leaders, with full accountability for financial performance, cost and schedule execution, customer satisfaction, on-contract growth, and new business development. Success in this role is measured by consistent revenue and margin performance, effective pipeline development and award conversion, strong customer relationships, and the development of high‑performing program and technical teams.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Provide end‑to‑end leadership for a $50M+ portfolio, ensuring disciplined execution across cost, schedule, scope, and technical performance. Oversee multiple programs and teams across flight test, systems engineering, integration, and lifecycle support domains. Ensure effective application of program management best practices, including earned value management, critical path analysis, and risk management. Drive continuous improvement in execution performance, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain full accountability for portfolio financial performance, including revenue, margin, cost control, and forecast accuracy. Partner closely with functional organizations to manage budgets, financial reporting, and variance analysis. Lead development and execution of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and long‑range strategic plans (STRAP) for the portfolio. Ensure compliance with KBR financial, contracting, and governance requirements.
• Serve as the senior KBR representative to key government customers and stakeholders. Build and sustain trusted customer relationships that enable mission success and long‑term growth. Ensure programs deliver measurable mission impact aligned with customer operational priorities. Anticipate evolving customer needs and position the portfolio to respond proactively.
• Own portfolio growth strategy, including pipeline development, capture support, and transition from award to execution. Collaborate with Business Development to shape opportunities, influence acquisition strategies, and support proposal development. Ensure effective conversion of pipeline opportunities into contract awards and funded work. Align portfolio growth initiatives with enterprise‑level strategic priorities.
• Serve as a program management domain expert, with experience in PM process architecture and evaluation frameworks (e.g., SEI/CMMI, TL9000 or equivalent). Lead large, cross‑functional teams through process improvement initiatives and execution roadmaps. Integrate program management, engineering, quality, and financial disciplines to optimize outcomes. Maintain awareness of program management trends, tools, and best practices across industry and academia.
• Build, lead, and mentor high‑performing program and functional leaders. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mission focus. Support workforce planning, talent development, and succession planning across the portfolio.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education: BS/BA
• Experience:  at least 12 years of directly related experience.  In lieu of formal education, 20 years of directly related experience.
• Extensive experience leading large, complex DoD aviation or mission engineering portfolios.
• Proven success managing $50M–$80M programs or portfolios with full P&L responsibility. Deep understanding of program management methodologies, financial management, and earned value principles. Demonstrated ability to build senior‑level customer relationships and drive new business growth. Strong leadership presence with the ability to align teams, influence stakeholders, and deliver results in mission‑critical environments.
• Clearance & Citizenship: Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Degrees (M.S. / MBA) preferred.
• Extensive Program Management Experience and increasing leadership responsibility. Preferred cross-functional and business experiences. 

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture.  These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.  That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.