Associate Director, Defense Programs (Air Force/Navy)

Date Posted:

2026-11-09



Country:

United States of America



Location:

US-VA-ARLINGTON-1000 ~ 1000 Wilson Blvd ~ WILSON, Fl 23



Position Role Type:

Onsite



U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​



Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: TS/SCI



Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

RTX is looking for a talented Associate Director, Defense Programs with an active DoD Top Secret Security Clearance to join our corporate Global Government Relations (GGR) team!

The Associate Director, Defense Programs, drives the strategic planning and execution of RTX’s Global Government Relations internal and external and partners closely with Business Unit (BU) leaders to drive unified solutions. In this role, you will provide strategic, analytical, and procedural leadership to enhance collaboration between government relations, BU programs and business development functions, and corporate functional partners to advance RTX and BU objectives. This role will support the RTX GGR portfolios with responsibility for the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force & Space Force.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in aerospace and defense, paired with an extensive, active external network within the Pentagon and the broader Department of Defense (DoD). You will serve as a trusted advisor and thought leader, capable of stepping in to directly engage senior Pentagon leaders and executive stakeholders when senior leadership is unavailable.

What You Will Do:

• Governance & Planning: Lead operations and support strategic planning to drive active engagement and information sharing across all business units and corporate functions; partner with executive leadership to propose and manage agendas, follow-up on action times, and manage key metrics to track progress.
• Facilitation & Priority Alignment: Build deep relationships across RTX and BUs, actively surfacing cross-business opportunities, aligning customer messaging, and bridging gaps across similar campaigns and programs; lead processes to establish, refine, and execute joint strategic priorities.
• Cadence & Communication Strategy: Effectively communicate with GGR internal and external stakeholders—fostering transparent, timely communication across all participating business units. Create briefs, reports and presentation decks for senior leadership engagements.
• Cross-Functional & Business Unit Partnership: In support of RTX, partner across GGR and company business units to assess political, legislative, and regulatory shifts; collaborate closely with BU leaders to proactively address policy hurdles, assess operational impacts, and drive unified solutions that advance core business priorities.
• Continuous Improvement: Continually assess internal and external dynamics, evaluating emerging opportunities to strengthen enterprise collaboration and remove operational barriers to joint execution.
• Pentagon Engagement & Representation: Leverage established networks across the Pentagon (OSD, Joint Staff, Service Branches) and legislative affairs offices to represent RTX at policy and regulatory meetings, engage senior leaders, and serve as an executive proxy in high-level internal and external engagements as needed.
• Thought Leadership: Serve as an internal and external thought leader, engaging with industry associations and think tanks as needed to inform and influence national security policymakers, regulatory and legislative decision-makers on those public policy issues affecting RTX business, business objectives, values and company reputation. 
• Special Projects: Lead high-priority, cross-functional special projects and strategic initiatives as required.
• Strategic thinker who connects operational planning to long-term organizational strategy; ability to synthesize inputs from multiple business units and translate those ideas into structured initiatives.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build trust, influence without direct authority, and engage regularly with executive leadership.

• Adaptable leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and navigates ambiguity with ease

• Self-motivation and results-driven individual who leverages cross-functional networks to solve problems with urgency.

• Strong communicator with exceptional organizational skills, detail orientation, and customer focus.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience or in absence of a degree, 16 years of relevant experiencee in aerospace and defense, military service, Department of Defense civil service, legislative affairs, or corporate government relations; Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated track record working within or closely alongside the Pentagon (e.g., Joint Staff, Service Staff, OSD, or Defense Agencies) with a clear, practical knowledge of how policy, requirements, and budget processes (PPBE, FAR/DFARS, etc.) operate.
• Strong knowledge and active engagement with Pentagon decision-makers and non-government non-profit organizations such as industry associations and think tanks.
• Ability to communicate complex documents to include military doctrine, executive orders, regulatory and legislative language.
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance is required.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees  
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option  
• Tuition reimbursement program 
• Student Loan Repayment Program  
• Life insurance and disability coverage  
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection 
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits 
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning  
• Adoption Assistance           
• Autism Benefit  
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions  
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program 
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits  
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services 
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program  
• This position may be eligible for relocation.
• And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

• Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.
Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.
This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.
RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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