Head of Growth

We’re on a mission to make the skies safe and accessible for everyone. Our technology gives pilots greater control by simplifying the management of any aircraft during standard flight operations, inclement weather, and emergencies. Our SkyOS solution, rigorously and relentlessly developed by skilled and dedicated Skyrysers, is the key to unlocking this unbounded future. Our technology, combined with our commitment to saving lives and our passion for aviation, will empower everyone to experience the joy and freedom of flight. HEAD OF GROWTH - EL SEGUNDO, CA OR WASHINGTON, D.C. Skyryse is seeking a Head of Growth to lead and scale our defense business end-to-end. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive leadership team, the CGO owns the full commercial engine for the DoD and allied international markets — government affairs, sales, and business development — and is accountable for the pipeline, revenue, and programs of record that will define Skyryse's trajectory. This is a builder's role for an operator who has scaled a defense business before. You will be responsible for translating SkyOS's technical advantage into funded programs, durable customer relationships, and a platform position in next-generation aviation. This is a full-time onsite opportunity based out of El Segundo, CA or Washington, D.C. RESPONSIBILITIES: Build and lead a high-performing commercialization and government strategy team. Own the P&L for Skyryse's defense business, including pipeline, bookings, and recognized revenue across DoD, adjacent federal agencies, and allied international governments. Set commercial strategy and prioritization frameworks in partnership with the CEO and executive team, balancing speed, revenue, and long-term platform positioning. Establish Skyryse as a platform company by promoting open architecture and modular integration with third-party systems. Shape and influence budget priorities and program funding pathways ahead of formal acquisition processes. Lead capture and business development on priority pursuits; shaping requirements, budget priorities, and funding pathways (including non-traditional mechanisms) ahead of formal acquisition. Serve as Skyryse's senior external face to DoD leadership, Congressional stakeholders, program executive offices, and warfighter end users. Partner cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Leadership to align product roadmap with defense & commercial needs and positioning. Monitor competitive landscape, including emerging defense tech companies and legacy primes. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 15+ years driving commercialization in defense, government, or dual-use technology. Proven track record selling into or working with the U.S. Department of Defense. Deep understanding of DoD acquisition processes, requirements generation, and budget cycles. Demonstrated experience influencing government funding decisions, program direction, or resource prioritization. Familiarity with aviation, aerospace, autonomy, or software-enabled hardware, including how crewed, unmanned, and autonomous platforms are evaluated, funded, and adopted differently across DoD acquisition pathways. Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical capabilities into clear, mission-aligned value propositions. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience at high-growth defense technology companies scaling to programmatic revenue. Demonstrated success building new markets or breaking into established government ecosystems. Experience working with or managing lobbying firms and external policy advisors. Strong network across defense innovation units, program offices, acquisition organizations, and operational commands. Experience integrating go-to-market strategy with product development and technical positioning. Experience with the policy and acquisition landscape for autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, ideally including vertical lift programs and human-in-the-loop requirements. WHY