Director - FAA Aviation Systems & Research Strategy

Job Locations US-MD-Annapolis Junction | US-MD-Bowie | US-VA-Herndon

Peraton Labs is seeking a highly experienced Senior Advisor to provide senior-level advisory support to the BNATCS Program CTO across program priorities, stakeholder engagement, technical direction, and execution risk for FAA BNATCS-related work. This role requires a highly credible aviation and FAA domain expert with the judgment, relationships, and technical understanding necessary to help guide strategy and inform leadership decisions. The ideal candidate for this position will be recognized within the aviation community and bring a strong grasp of FAA modernization, BNATCS workstreams, and applied technical research environments.

This role offers the chance to help shape a major modernization effort through trusted technical and strategic counsel. You will work closely with leadership, influence direction at a meaningful level, and help connect emerging capability development with the realities of aviation operations and stakeholder expectations.

Key responsibilities may include:

Advise leadership on program priorities, technical strategy, stakeholder dynamics, and execution considerations
• Provide expert insight into BNATCS workstreams and their implications for future capability development
• Help ensure technical direction remains grounded in operational reality and aligned to stakeholder expectations
• Support senior leadership in navigating dependencies, risks, and engagement approaches across the FAA and aviation ecosystem
• Contribute to strategic planning around modernization, research alignment, and transition of emerging capabilities into mission value
• Serve as a senior thought partner on aviation systems, advanced capability adoption, and customer-facing strategy
• Help identify where technical innovation aligns well with stakeholder needs and where additional caution, sequencing, or coordination may be required

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in aviation systems, aerospace, research, engineering, program strategy, or related fields; advanced degree preferred
• Deep aviation and FAA domain knowledge with strong credibility in the FAA and/or broader aviation community
• Strong understanding of FAA BNATCS-related environments or closely comparable aviation modernization efforts
• Demonstrated ability experience advising senior leaders on technical, operational, and stakeholder matters
• Technical background sufficient to engage credibly on research, systems, analytics, and modernization topics
• Experience operating in high-visibility, high-stake environments involving multiple senior stakeholder groups
• US Citizenship with ability to obtain/maintain an FAA Public Trust suitability
• Must be local and able to work on-site at one of the following locations: Annapolis Junction, MD; Bowie, MD; or Herndon, VA

Desired Qualifications

• Recognized SME status within FAA, aviation systems, or adjacent modernization communities
• Direct familiarity with FAA BNATCS workstreams
• Experience supporting advanced research, technical transition, or modernization initiatives
• Background spanning technical execution, program strategy, and stakeholder engagement
• Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, aerospace, operations research, or related fields

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

$176,000 - $282,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.