Defense Aviation Program Director

Apave International is seeking a Business Manager – Aviation to lead strategic growth in the highly specialized domain of fighter aircraft inspection, quality assurance, and MRO solutions.

A high-end Business Manager in the niche domain of defense fighter plane inspections/Quality is a senior, techno-commercial expert responsible for securing high-value, long-cycle contracts for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), or structural health monitoring solutions. They bridge the gap between advanced aerospace engineering and government procurement, targeting Air Force Commands, Defense PSUs, and OEM partners.

Key Profile Attributes & Qualifications

• Experience: 20+ years in defense/aerospace business development, with a specific focus on military aviation or MRO services.
• Background: Often a former Indian Air Force (IAF) technical engineer with rank higher than Group Captain or equivalent to Commodore, or an experienced leader with deep exposure to fighter aircraft platforms (e.G., Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, Mechanical, or Electronics Engineering;
  MBA in Marketing or International Business is highly preferred.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of MIL standards, AS9100 quality systems, structural inspection techniques, and predictive maintenance.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Capture Planning: Identify and win new, complex, long-term programs related to structural inspections, engine checks, or avionics maintenance for fighter fleets.
• Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain relationships with high-level decision-makers within the Ministry of Defense (MoD), IAF commands, DRDO labs, and major aerospace OEMs.
• Tender/Proposal Leadership: Lead the end-to-end sales lifecycle: tracking RFPs/RFQs, crafting technical-commercial proposals, navigating offset policies, and managing negotiations.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor trends in military procurement, competitor activities, and emerging inspection technologies (e.G., drone-based inspection, digital twins).

Key Skills & Competencies

• Complex Selling/Hunter Mentality: Proven ability to close high-value deals with long, complex sales cycles.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth familiarity with Defense Acquisition Procedures (DAP), offset guidelines, and Export Controls (ITAR/EAR).
• Technical Presentation Skills: Ability to articulate complex engineering solutions to non-technical procurement staff and technical experts.
• Networking: Strong existing network within the defense aviation ecosystem.

Job Context

This is a highly demanding, target-oriented role, often requiring international and domestic travel to air shows, defense exhibitions, and customer sites.