Careers

To learn more about Aerospace Industries Association, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

Space systems and technologies are a critical part of our nation’s economic, scientific, and national security capabilities. AIA’s Space Systems Division coordinates, formulates, and advocates for space policies and programs important to the U.S. space industry and supports efforts to foster U.S. space leadership and capabilities. We are looking for a Senior Director for the Space Systems division to lead civil and commercial space issues. Primary duties include representing industry views and interests through regular convenings, writing, and speaking opportunities, developing consensus industry positions on civil and commercial space matters, and managing the membership and activities of AIA’s civil space committee.  

Key Responsibilities:

• This position reports to the Vice President of Space Systems and works directly with staff at all levels across the Association, as well as Member Companies, and with U.S. and international government civil space policymakers.
• Closely follows development of and maintains subject matter level expertise on U.S. and global civil space policies, events, and activities.
• Advocates for consensus positions from member companies for ensuring government regulatory regimes and proposed policies enable American competitiveness in the space economy.
• Provides thought leadership on civil space issues, including regular writing and speaking at public and AIA member specific activities.
• Regular interactions with Executive Branch, Congress, international government and industry officials, and other stakeholders in civil space arena.
• Coordinates, participates, and attends AIA civil space meetings, conferences, and Congressional events.
• Develops and provides civil space content for regular communications to member companies, and develops content for thought leadership in the industry such as infographics and position papers.
• Coordinates legislative proposals and advocacy efforts with AIA’s Legislative Affairs Division, supports Congressional events and communications initiatives.
• Maintains ties with AIA membership companies to ensure AIA civil space members are active and updated.
• Responsible for regular meetings convening AIA members and government officials to discuss civil space matters.
• Responsible for maintaining awareness of member programs and milestones in civil space.
• Attends local civil space events and may be required to travel nationally and internationally to support events.
• Fills in for the Vice President for Space Systems at internal and external meetings or events as needed.
• Provides support, as needed, for other functions across AIA such as Division and AIA-wide special events and meetings.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in civil space matters, preference for direct experience at NASA, NOAA, FAA, or equivalent experience.
• An understanding of the civil space landscape and important policy and regulatory issues.
• Experience working with government and industry civil space leadership.
• Proven ability to consistently make sound judgments.
• Exceptional communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to execute work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to interact with senior industry representative and government officials.
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment while developing and maintaining positive work relationships.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree, Masters’ degree preferred. 

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

To learn more about Aerospace Industries Association, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

The American Rocketry Challenge Director is responsible for successfully managing and executing all aspects of AIA’s American Rocketry Challenge. They act as liaison for the American Rocketry Challenge with organizations and individuals including registered teams, AIA member companies, academic institutions, associations, Congressional staff, the National Association of Rocketry, NASA, the Department of Defense, consultants, and AIA staff. This position reports directly to the Senior Director, American Rocketry Challenge.

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest and the aerospace and defense industry’s signature STEM program, with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing annually. The contest provides students in 6th – 12th grades the opportunity to design, build, and launch model rockets and gain hands-on experience solving engineering problems. To learn more about the American Rocketry Challenge, as well as the Aerospace Industries Association and National Association of Rocketry, please visit https://rocketcontest.org/about/

This position does not require experience with rocketry, aerospace, or engineering.

Strategy/Program Management (100%)

• Oversees and manages American Rocketry Challenge strategy, program, sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and in-person activities.
• Collaborates with AIA senior leadership to develop strategic vision and/or program frameworks.
• Develops and manages project timelines, budgets, and plans for American Rocketry Challenge programs and initiatives.
• Advocate and lead efforts for a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible contest.
• Proactively evaluate program impact by capturing key metrics and taking actions towards improvement.
• Design and implement new initiatives in line with emerging trends and best practices.

Execution:

• Manage and execute contest registration, Title I grant selection and distribution, and qualification flight submission and evaluation as well as maintain up-to-date contest materials.

Event Planning:

• Plans and manages all event planning related to the program in partnership with the National Association of Rocketry, including the National Finals and International Rocketry Challenge.
• For the National Finals, this includes selecting and negotiating with venues, vendors, event set up, staffing, and exhibits.
• For the International Rocketry Challenge, this includes managing the U.S. national team’s participation and coordination with sponsors and foreign trade associations.

Communications:

• Coordinate with AIA’s Communications team to develop and execute internal and external contest communications strategies including email and social media.
• Collaborates internally with AIA’s Policy and Communications teams to increase awareness about the industry’s workforce efforts, as well as encourage students to pursue careers in aerospace.

Talent Development:

• Manage year-round internship program and directly supervise program intern
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Native understanding and extensive work within the Microsoft Office environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project planning programs, SharePoint) is required.
• Experience with SurveyMonkey Apply is a significant plus.
• Excellent communication skills conveying key messages to large groups in writing and in-person.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals across various levels of the association’s hierarchy within a diverse organization.
• Ability to work under time pressure to meet deadlines and capability to quickly flex to changes in priorities. In addition, be flexible where extra hours are needed without always being asked.
• Ability to independently prioritize, multi-task duties, and collaborate across AIA. In addition, possesses well-developed interpersonal and time management skills.

Desired Skills/Experience:

• An Associate or Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience is preferred
• Experience as a project or program manager or in corporate social responsibility preferred.
• Experience in and passion for STEM education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.

To apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

To learn more about AIA, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

The Director, Industrial Base Policy supports the Vice President for National Security Policy on all matters relating to DOD industrial policy and procurement, and represents AIA on these and related issues to AIA membership, outside organizations, the Department of Defense (DOD) and other executive branch agencies, and Congressional committees and member offices.

The Director, Industrial Base Policy engages with AIA staff, member companies, councils, and committees, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating policies concerning defense industrial policy and procurement-related practices, the implementation of relevant regulations and legislation and their implementation, and other related areas.

Core Duties:

The Director, Industrial Base Policy reports directly to the Vice President for National Security Policy.  The incumbent maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the Department of Defense (primarily the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, the military service Secretariats, and other defense agencies) and other Executive Branch agencies and offices. The incumbent may accompany the Vice President for National Security Policy and other senior AIA leaders to meet with senior Administration officials, members of Congress and staff, AIA member company CEOs and other executives, and other senior individuals in and out of government.

The Director, Industrial Base Policy serves as AIA’s primary industrial policy resource and responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials, military personnel, the public, and the media. These inquiries may range from general questions to highly technical requests requiring significant effort to assemble data and related background information. The incumbent may also prepare Congressional testimony on association positions for AIA leaders.

The Director, Industrial Base Policy may be called upon to present the Association’s views orally and in writing to government and industry officials and to the media; to represent the Association in coalitions that are formed to present a unified approach on national security policy issues of mutual interest; and to represent AIA positions as a spokesperson at conferences and seminars. They will contribute articles and news items to AIA publications, highlighting issues and developments falling within the NSP division’s domain, and prepare summaries of such issues for use during AIA or outside meetings.

The Director, Industrial Policy will support the Vice President for National Security Policy by monitoring developments and initiatives within the national security community and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to ensure that AIA’s awareness and advocacy are integrated, comprehensive and consistent. They will focus on the objectives driven by the National Defense Strategy’s emphasis on Great Power Competition and innovation – such as supply chain security, assured access to materials and resources, and advanced technology (artificial intelligence, microelectronics, digital engineering, unmanned systems, hypersonics, etc.) – and will engage with non-traditional providers to broaden AIA’s membership and enhance our impact on policy.  The Director, Industrial Base Policy will further ensure that AIA’s engagement in the national security policy community is coordinated across AIA councils and committees (primarily the Defense Policy Council, Acquisition Policy Council, Contract Management Committee, Intellectual Property Committee, Cybersecurity Committee, and Washington Procurement Committee), and across other AIA divisions (primarily the Communications, International Affairs, Space, and Legislative Affairs divisions).

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Leadership 30%

• Crafting AIA industrial policy positions that address the development and sustainment of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and promote innovation, secure and resilient supply chains, and a public perception of the DIB as a respected institution and source of American strength.
• Maintaining liaison with trade associations, policy organizations, and academic institutions to improve AIA’s awareness of, and influence on, U.S. national security policy.
• Analyzing industry challenges and opportunities to prompt deliberations and policy actions.
• Synthesizing concepts and ideas coming from government contacts to provide insight into future defense and aerospace developments.

Collaboration & Advocacy 50%

• Leading AIA advocacy efforts and engagement with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, and other federal organizations and agencies that impact defense industrial base policies.
• Collaborating with AIA’s Communications division and other AIA divisions to develop stakeholder education materials and webinars regarding various DIB topics, including Industrial organization, industry workforce, historical industrial trends, and capital allocation decisions that industry executives make as part of their fiduciary responsibilities.
• Building industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely topics and issues, and serving as staff liaison to relevant internal and external groups.
• Organizing and executing periodic council and committee meetings, including developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, ensuring that minutes are prepared, and managing associated expenses.

Industry Activities 20%

• Assisting with the planning and execution of major association events, including Executive Committee and Washington Representatives meetings, semi-annual Board of Governors meetings, periodic meetings with senior government officials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience Required

• The Director, Industrial Policy must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense acquisition community.
• Must have a deep understanding of the U.S and international defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, a DoD supplier, and/or a relevant trade association.
• The combination of Industry and DoD experience is highly valued.
• The individual must have demonstrated research and communications skills.

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• A Master’s or Juris Doctor degree, or PhD with engineering, business, national security, or foreign policy concentration is preferred.

To apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

To learn more about Aerospace Industries Association, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

The Director, Legislative Affairs will develop and execute the Association’s legislative program; communicate the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry’s concerns before Congress and advocate for those priorities; support AIA events and informational sessions on Capitol Hill; and inform AIA members of key congressional actions and potential impacts the A&D community.  In this role, you will develop AIA positions and strategic advocacy on legislation affecting the industry primarily related to civil aviation issues. This includes partnering with the leadership team and AIA members to develop and execute AIA’s legislative strategy and advocating those positions before Congress.  It is expected that this position will involve registration and reporting as a federal lobbyist, as required by law, but not registration as a lobbyist before any state.

Our ideal candidate must have a strong working knowledge of the federal legislative process, the current organization of Congress, and the legislative timetable for annual appropriations and policy legislation.  Recent and relevant experience on Capitol Hill is a requirement for this position.

This position reports directly to the Vice President, Legislative Affairs and will be a critical partner alongside other members of the Legislative Affairs, Communications, and Civil Aviation teams to support our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for successful execution of AIA’s legislative strategy as it relates to civil aviation legislation before the U. S. Congress.  Under direction of the Vice President, Legislative Affairs, the position provides broad support to and leads AIA’s overall legislative strategy with a focus on Civil Aviation issues.  Where needed, it is expected that the Director will also support legislative advocacy on cross-cutting issues aligned with AIA’s strategic priorities such as federal tax policy, workforce, and annual defense legislation. This is a strategic role requiring adaptability, creativity, and motivation. The individual is expected to deliver high levels of support to AIA staff and members and be available as a subject matter expert in legislative affairs who can help identify and solve near-term problems for stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years of full-time experience on Capitol Hill working for a Member of Congress or Congressional committee (civil aviation and/or aerospace experience preferred).
• In-depth and demonstrated knowledge of the federal legislative process.
• Excellent interpersonal and legislative research skills.
• Excellent business writing and oral presentation skills with an ability to communicate in written form to different audiences with minimal oversight.
• Ability to execute work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Goal-oriented with strong ability to self-manage tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to successfully coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work reliably and timely with a demonstrated ability to maintain the highest level of ethical and professional standards.
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment while developing and maintaining positive work relationships.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; political science or related concentration preferred.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

To learn more about AIA, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

AIA’s Space Systems Division develops and advocates for policies, regulations, and investments to ensure American leadership and strong industry partnership across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors. The Senior Manager, Space Systems, is responsible for managing the operations of the Division and supporting the development and advocacy of space policy positions.  The position reports directly to the Vice President, Space Systems.

This position reports to the Vice President, Space Systems. The incumbent will contribute to the execution of policy initiatives related to space policy. In this role, you are responsible for…

Key responsibilities:

Manage activities related to Space Division councils, committees, and working groups established to address national security, commercial, and civil space advocacy issues (50%)

• Coordinates the activities of councils, committees, subcommittees and working groups established to address national security, commercial, and civil space policies. These councils and committees formulate industry positions to be presented to U.S. government officials, respond to government inquiries, and form public advocacy positions. This includes arranging and tracking regular council and committee meetings, planning AIA space events, and assisting with membership database maintenance.
• Works to build consensus policy positions amongst member companies; assists in the drafting and refining AIA’s positions and communicating to appropriate agency officials and other relevant organizations.
• Develops knowledge base on various trends, issues, areas of concern and emerging patterns pertaining to space policy to provide insight into future developments and work with other Space Division staff to anticipate the need for association positions and actions. These areas include budget, economic, and technical trends, safety and regulation, and legislative initiatives.
• Maintains liaison with counterparts in member companies, governments, and other associations covering policy matters to define issues and focal points. Coordinates with Space Division leadership on effective and coordinated communication to senior, policy level staff in member companies, associations and federal government.

Provide assistance and support across multiple policy and advocacy activities at the direction of Space Division leadership (50%)

• Contributes to articles and news items, highlighting issues and developments within space policy.
• Based on needs and interests and at the direction of Space Division leadership, research and develop background materials, policy positions, press releases, and white papers on specific space policy topics.
• Support space policy internal and external events, including attending and following external policy events and reporting on developments.
• Retain and recruit space companies for AIA membership.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree or equivalent work experience.
• Self-starter with ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment.
• Deep interest in space policy and desire to grow as a space policy professional.
• Experience in space or aerospace-related government, association or corporate position.
• Experience with issues regarding the development and regulation of civil, commercial, or national security space policy.
• Experience working with or in US government space agencies (NASA/DOD/IC) or Congressional committees that oversee space issues.
• Strong communication skills and judgement to communicate and coordinate with member company representatives and government officials, including on sensitive policy topics.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, programs, and value of membership in AIA to maintain and assist in the identification of potential membership in new or untapped markets.
• Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

To learn more about AIA, please visit: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

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Position Summary:

AIA is seeking a Manager, Corporate Events. This position is primarily responsible for the planning and execution of AIA’s strategic events, as well as providing logistical support for various association meetings (in-person, hybrid, and virtual). The ideal candidate is detailed oriented and possess above average organizational and inter-personal skills. This position reports directly to the Vice President, Corporate Events.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Management (85%)

• Conceptualizing, designing, and creating high-profile external events that portray the organization in a positive light to media, government officials and other key stakeholders. Events include but are not limited to multi-day meetings with senior government officials and receptions at international air shows.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of online components of events to include registration, event web pages, surveys, etc.
• Manage the AttendeeHub event app, inputting the schedule, speaker bios, and helpful information for attendees for large events and air shows.
• Produce detailed proposals for events, e.g., timelines, venues, vendors, staffing, and budgets.
• Create event sponsorship packages and assist in the solicitation and securing of sponsorships when applicable.
• Partner with internal cross-functional teams to create event agendas, marketing materials, and content that meet engagement targets.
• Increase the engagement strategy, creative approach, planning, and execution for the organization’s largest and highest profile events, including day-of-event management.
• Lead and support management of internal webinars hosted through Zoom for Government.
• Negotiate vendor contracts, such as audio visual, transportation, entertainment, etc.
• Monitor hotel room blocks for all events.
• Manage food and beverage, as outlined on BEOs, to confirm that all meals and room setups are correctly.
• Manage and track speakers’ requirements, i.e. transportation, hotel rooms, dietary restrictions, AV, presentations, etc.
• Assist in the design, development, and execution of marketing and outreach strategies under the direction of the Vice President.
• Develop approach and methods to evaluate and measure event success. Leverage insights in the development of an annual strategy.

Financial Management (15%)

• Monitor budgets to ensure revenue and expenses are kept within established boundaries.
• Review financial information for accuracy, such as invoices for services and materials; the hotel invoice, subcontractor invoices, etc.
• Ability to identify and execute on opportunities for increased efficiencies and cost savings.

Qualifications and Experience:

Experience

• Strong ability to balance multiple priorities, work independently and participate as a part of a cross-functional team, keep others informed through clear written and verbal communication, while maintaining a high level of productivity.
• Solid project management skills, including the development of work plans, responsibilities, and timelines, while maintaining high quality standards and attention to detail.
• Experience with cross collaboration and interacting with all levels, including c-suite.
• Ability to travel up to 20%; valid passport required. Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Detail oriented and possess above average organizational and inter-personal skills.
• Cvent experience highly desired.
• Familiarity with Photoshop and Canva.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, communications, marketing, or related field with a minimum of 4+ years’ equivalent direct work experience in conference planning or special events.

Desired Skills

• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) 

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.