At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers in a diverse range of industries. Widely recognized for providing engineering, testing, prototype, and manufacturing services to the transportation industry, Roush also provides significant support to the aerospace, defense and theme park industries. With over 2,400 employees in facilities throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America, our unique combination of creativity and tenacity activates big ideas on a global stage. We want motivated, ambitious people who put the needs of our customers first, bring creativity to their work and will do whatever it takes to achieve success. If you share our passion for providing innovative solutions to complex challenges, we want you on our team.
At Roush, we work alongside the best and brightest to do incredibly cool things you wouldn’t believe. At Roush, you are part of building the future.
The Vice President of Defense will define business strategy, investment priorities, and go-to-market strategy across the defense industry. The role will manage multiple client interfaces and work locations while overseeing complex programs in a dynamic environment. The role will provide organizational leadership across all teams and require strong communication skills as this position speaks to all parts of the organization (locally and globally), in addition to customers, vendors, etc. This role will be located onsite in Troy, MI.
As the Vice President Defense, you will:
- Provide Strategy, Leadership and Direction for the Defense business.
- Lead and oversee financials (profit, loss & sales margins) for Defense business including projections, forecasting, reconciliation, and presentation to executive leadership.
- Provide leadership and direction on business priorities, client priorities, new business development and proposals to assure that business growth, sales and income targets are met.
- Responsible for the direction of engineering, contracting, security, IT and compliance operations within the defense organization.
- Work to continuously improve and reinforce the quality system to ensure quality is as expected.
- Identify defense business focus areas for continuous improvement, development and execution of business initiatives, financial growth, and company culture.
- Oversee and manage staff development strategies that support the business plan and strategic direction.
- Create an environment supportive of positive employee engagement.
- Oversee management and performance expectations of directors, managers, supervisors and leaders through performance feedback. Ensure strategic goals are created, cascaded, and implemented throughout the organizations that foster growth.
To be considered for the VP of Defense, you will need:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or related field of study.
- Minimum 10 years of experience leading organizations executing projects or business in technical or defense industries.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience managing business financials (profit & loss, sales margins).
- U.S. citizen.
- Active, ongoing Department of Defense security clearance and ability to maintain clearance, up to Top Secret.
- Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS), ITAR, Export Administration Regulations (EAR), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word and Excel) and other business management computer tools.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Strong ability to understand staffing demand and supply data metrics.
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to make sound recommendations and provide guidance to effectively meet business priorities.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple business elements to a unified goal.
A successful candidate may also have:
- Master’s degree in engineering or MBA.
- Experience working with the US Department of Defense.
- Military proposal and contracting experience.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in program management, engineering and/or operational experience in a branch of the military relevant to the business area.
Our full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, earned sick time, STD, LTD, 401K, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and paid holidays.
To apply for this position and view all of our other career opportunities at Roush, click here: https://jobs.roush.com/us/en/
Visit our website: www.roush.com
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Roush is an EO employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories. If you need reasonable accommodation for our employment application process due to disability, please contact
Roush Talent Acquisition at (734) 779-7087.
Roush Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Roush and has not been reviewed or approved by Roush.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as platinum-level and affordable, including medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, telemedicine, and wellness supports such as EAP, diabetes, and tobacco-cessation programs. Core protections like short- and long-term disability and life/AD&D are highlighted as strengths.
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Retirement Support — An employer-matched 401(k) is emphasized, with plan features such as profit-sharing elements, auto-enrollment, and loan availability that enhance accessibility. The retirement offering is characterized as competitive and a standout within the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, paid holidays, and earned sick time are provided alongside leaves for family/medical needs, pregnancy/adoption, military duty, jury duty, and bereavement. The breadth supports varied time-off needs across different life events.
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With a relentless spirit of possibilities, a challenge-driven culture, and an unmatched suite of capabilities, Roush creates remarkable and inspiring solutions for some of the world’s greatest organizations.

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