Careers

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

Position Summary:

The VP for Civil Aviation is responsible for identifying, commenting, and advocating for common, noncompetitive domestic and international civil aviation policy issues across the AIA membership and in alliance with other aviation associations and safety agencies around the world. Reporting to the President and CEO of AIA, the VP supervises and manages the Civil Aviation Division.

The Civil Aviation Division’s activities are organized around three primary objectives: promote global competitiveness, support transformational aviation initiatives and technology that advance our industry, and support policies and research that enable sustainable growth of our industry.

Strategic direction for the division is provided by the CEO-level Civil Aviation Leadership Council (CALC).  Relying on this guidance and in close coordination with AIA member company representatives, the VP and the Civil Aviation team advocate for AIA’s top civil aviation policy priorities.  This work includes aircraft noise and emissions, certification, rulemaking and safety, air traffic systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and NextGen.

Advocacy on matters of global competitiveness is rooted in a fair and unbiased international regulatory framework, including fair market access internationally. Transformational initiatives and technology include promoting the development and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), the integration of UAS in the national airspace system, and highly efficient regulatory approaches to product certification and risk-based decision making for aviation safety and security.  Advocacy related to polices and research that enable sustainable growth include support for alternative aviation fuels initiatives; the development of a global CO2 certification standard for civil aircraft; promoting enhanced federal research funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration; and the pursuit of tax policies that encourage private research and development investment.

Key Responsibilities:

Provides strategic direction for the Civil Aviation Division (50%)

• Serves as a member of AIA’s Senior Leadership Team, coordinating and collaborating on enterprise-level strategic goals as they relate to key civil aviation policy priorities.
• Responsible for identifying, commenting, and advocating for all issues that impact the design, manufacture, and operation of transport category airplanes, rotorcraft, engines, parts and appliances.  The position focuses on all aspects of civil aviation products, which requires collaboration with departments across the association.
• Analyzes various trends, issues, areas of concern and emerging patterns pertaining to domestic and international manufacture and operation of transport category airplanes, rotorcraft engines, parts and appliances to provide insight into future developments and to anticipate the need for association positions and actions.  These areas include economic and technical trends, flight safety and regulation, aircraft environmental performance, legislative initiatives, and R&D policy.
• Serves as a key resource to the President & CEO, other departments, member companies, government and congressional officials, the media and the public.

Advocacy & Outreach (50%)

• Builds and maintains relationships with senior policy level counterparts in member companies, U.S. and foreign governments, Congress, international organizations, other associations, and academia covering technical and legislative matters to define issues and focal points.
• Helps drive industry consensus; drafting and refining AIA’s positions on the various issues and topics under consideration and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate Congressional and agency officials and relevant private sector organizations.
• Provides substantive and technical expertise to the development of all civil aviation advocacy and outreach related material.
• Coordinates the activities of the Civil Aviation Leadership Council (“CALC” – strategic guidance body comprised of member company CEOs with civil aviation interests), as well as the committees, subcommittees and working groups established at AIA to address U.S. and international policies and regulatory issues.  These councils, committees and working groups formulate industry positions to be presented to the U.S. Congress, as well as U.S., foreign, and international governmental agencies, bureaus and commissions. In addition, these groups respond to government inquiries dealing with special areas of concern that require industry input.
• Represents AIA at various official gatherings, organizing and chairing sessions, speaking or serving as a panelist. Works with other organizations to inform them of the AIA position on various issues and topics and occasionally provides congressional testimony.
• Oversees AIA’s participation in the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association and its activities at ICAO to include: coordination with the ICCAIA employees in Montreal, leaders and membership on issues of importance to AIA members; preparation of the AIA CEO for ICCAIA meetings several times per year; serve as principal POC and supervise ICCAIA Secretary during the next period of AIA Chairmanship of ICCAIA; and educate and inform AIA membership about ICCAIA actions and initiatives.
• Serves as representative on major government advisory boards and committees, and advises the FAA on matters related to safety of flight, aviation system capacity, and aircraft environmental performance.
• Responsible for proactive engagement with member companies to ensure retention of members that are focused on civil aviation issues and engagement.  Responsible for recruitment of additional full member companies.

Staff of 4:  Senior Director of Civil Aviation, Director of Civil Aviation Infrastructure, Director of Environment Policy, and Administrative Assistant.  The Civil Aviation Division works in close coordination with the Legislative Affairs and Communications teams, which play a key role in enabling the advocacy work of the division.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, collegiality, problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success
• Executive-level experience and expertise in civil aviation policy
• Proven experience serving as a member of – and key contributor to – a senior leadership team
• Strategic understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process and the ability to engage and shape both environments
• Minimum of five years’ prior supervisory experience in an association or aerospace-related corporation
• Strong interpersonal skills, as well as strong and effective written and oral skills
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in customer service with high standards of timeliness and responsiveness
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, programs and value of membership in AIA to maintain and increase membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or untapped markets.
• Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets
• Bachelors’ degree in aviation, aerospace, engineering, public policy, government or legislative affairs, or related fields or comparable work experience required
• Master’s degree with business, public policy, or aerospace related fields preferred

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.

Position Summary:

The Vice President, Legislative Affairs will lead the development and implementation of AIA’s comprehensive legislative strategy to support the association’s policy, industry advocacy and membership goals. The incumbent will communicate the industry’s interests to members of Congress, White House and Administration officials, state and local leaders, and inform AIA members of key legislative policy developments and impacts.  The Vice President is responsible for defining, shaping, and tracking legislation of interest to the aerospace industry; communicating legislative developments to members; presenting industry views and positions to Members of Congress and their staff; developing an engagement plan for the President and CEO, and serving as the principal staff contact for other organizations with overlapping legislative objectives. In this role the Vice President will manage AIA’s development and execution of our industry positions, strategies, and programs on all matters related to building and supporting a dynamic future workforce for the aerospace and defense industry and our member companies. The ideal leader in this role will have the ability to focus and refine a legislative strategy while emphasizing the professional development of the staff.

This position is also responsible for ensuring the association’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to federal lobbying.  This includes, but is not limited to, a leadership role in staff training and education as well as review of the association’s quarterly reports under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

In addition, the Vice President will develop the annual strategic objectives for legislative affairs, working closely with AIA senior leadership to ensure that strategy aligns with AIA’s mission, strategic plan, and specific objectives, in coordination with other departments.  We’re looking for someone to ensure that AIA takes proactive actions to stay ahead of critical regulatory and legislative issues affecting our industry. 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.

This position reports directly to the President and CEO and will be a strategic partner alongside all other Vice Presidents to support our mission.  The incumbent currently manages a staff of one Senior Director, one Director, two Managers and one shared Coordinator with the Communications Division.

Key Responsibilities:

The Vice President of Legislative Affairs is responsible for developing and implementing AIA’s comprehensive legislative strategy to support the association’s policy, industry advocacy, and membership goals.

   Define, shape, and advocate for legislation of interest to the aerospace and defense industry (30%)

• Effectively communicate legislative developments to AIA members and present industry views and positions to Members of Congress and their staff.
• Develop and lead an engagement plan for the President and CEO, serving as the principal staff contact for other organizations with overlapping legislative objectives.
• Focus and refine a legislative strategy while emphasizing the professional development of the staff.

   Lead the development of the annual strategic objectives for legislative affairs (35%)

• Work closely with AIA senior leadership to ensure that strategy aligns with AIA’s mission, strategic plan, and specific objectives, in coordination with entire organization.
• Take proactive actions collaborate across AIA policy divisions to stay ahead of critical regulatory and legislative issues affecting the aerospace and defense industry.
• Direct the monitoring and shaping of Federal legislation of interest to AIA and its members.
• Advise the President and CEO, member company Chief Executive Officers, and Washington Representatives on legislative matters and coordinates presentations to Congress advocating the AIA position and industry’s viewpoint.
• Seek active participation of industry executives and their government relations staff to formulate positions, prepare hearing testimony, and brief witnesses.

   Build and maintain key relationships across Capitol Hill and Washington, DC (15%)

• Maintain and grow a network of contacts among Members of Congress and staff.
• Represent AIA on continuing and ad hoc coalitions of organizations and groups that collaborate to present a unified position to Congress on issues of mutual interest.
• Inform AIA members of developments of broad industry appeal through company government relations staff, periodic reports to the Board and its Executive Committee, presentations before the various division councils and committees, and through periodic gatherings of member company executives, Washington government relations staff, members of Congress and the Executive Branch personnel to discuss matters of mutual interest.

   Grow AIA value proposition to members and prospective members (10%)

• Lead the planning and execution of CODEL events associated with the international air shows. Ensures that all necessary briefing, background material, and Ethics Committee paperwork is prepared to support the CODEL.
• Drive excellence in AIA events by obtaining key Congressional participation in AIA strategic calendar events, including international air shows, AIA Board of Governors meetings, and Congressional informational briefings or receptions both in D.C. and nationwide.
• Manage site visits to highlight efforts of our Member companies and to gain broader industry insights in support of our advocacy role.

   Manage and oversee AIA’s entire legislative portfolio and team (10%)

• Manage the workload and delegation of legislative issues including national security policy, civil aviation, space, and workforce to ensure appropriate coverage.
• Develop and manage the Legislative Affairs annual operating budget.
• Working with the VP-Finance and other AIA staff, help ensure the association’s ongoing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to federal lobbying, including review and approval of the association’s quarterly lobbying reports to Congress.
• Staff of 5: Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, Director of Legislative Affairs, (2) Managers of Legislative Affairs, and the shared support of a Coordinator. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Executive in a company or association, with specific expertise in federal legislative advocacy or relations;
• 15+ years’ supervisory experience in government, an association, or aerospace-defense related corporation with responsibility over multidisciplinary functions;
• Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets;
• Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity;
• First-rate personal, political, analytical and organizational skills;
• Creativity and ability to quickly get up to speed on complex technical and regulatory issues;
• Excellent communicator with great interpersonal and presentation skills, both for policy experts and the layperson;
• Ability to work independently as well as a team player in a multi-task work environment while producing the highest caliber work product in a timely manner;
• Self-starter with a sense of humor and the ability to thrive in a fast moving and high pressure environment.

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.

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Position Summary:

The Senior Director, Civil Aviation, reports directly to the Vice President, Civil Aviation of Aerospace Industries Association which represents 95% of the civil aviation manufacturing business in the U.S. The Senior Director is responsible for advising and assisting on the entire range of issues of the Civil Aviation portfolio and acts for the Vice President in their absence.

The Senior Director administers the Civil Aviation Regulatory Committee, its sub-committees, and project groups established to address these issues.  These bodies may take the initiative to formulate positions to be presented to the U.S., foreign, and international agencies, bureaus, and commissions, or respond to government inquiries dealing with special areas of concern that require industry input.

As the voice of American aerospace and defense, AIA represents a diverse group of companies from tier one/prime OEMs and integrators to family-owned small businesses. This position works directly with all AIA staff to ensure AIA continues to represent core aerospace and defense companies.

AIA represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, space systems, helicopters, as well as other aerospace products and services.

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory, Policy and Technology Management. (40%)

• The Senior Director is responsible for monitoring issues and policies that affect the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of transport category airplanes, advanced aviation mobility (AAM), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), rotorcraft, engines, parts, civil aviation cybersecurity, and for coordinating the association’s activities in these areas.  These areas include economic and technical trends, flight safety and regulation, aircraft environmental performance, legislative initiatives, and R&D policy.
• The Senior Director will develop new policies, positions and ideas, and respond to significant government legislation and regulatory changes on behalf of the Civil Aviation Industry.
• The Senior Director is responsible for the oversight of the sustainability portfolio and the incumbent employee(s).

Consensus Building, Member Interface and Coordination with Government. (40%)

• The Senior Director participates in seeking industry consensus; drafting and refining AIA’s positions on the various issues and topics under consideration and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate agency officials.
• The Senior Director selects agenda topics and speakers for group meetings, prepares budgets supervises site selection, meeting arrangements, generation of background materials, and minutes of the proceedings.
• The Senior Director serves as a key resource to the president, other departments. The Senior Director maintains liaison with senior policy level counterparts in member companies, the U.S. and foreign governments, international organizations, other associations, and academia covering technical and legislative matters to define issues and focal points.
• The Senior Director works closely with other staff departments, and in conjunction with the Vice President, the Senior Director provides a focus for all aspects of civil aviation products, which may overlap other functional departments within the association.

External Engagement  (20%)

• The Senior Director conducts interviews with the press; serves on panels and moderates discussions at high-level aviation summits and conferences, and serves as an industry representative on major government advisory boards and committees.
• The Senior Director also represents U.S. manufacturers before the International Civil Aviation Organization and will often give presentations.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree in aviation, aerospace, engineering, public policy, government or legislative affairs, or related fields or comparable work experience required.
• A minimum of ten years’ prior experience in aviation-related government, association, or corporate positions.
• Experience managing, developing, or advocating positions on issues related to aviation systems, emerging technologies, or infrastructure. A thorough understanding of civil aviation policy is preferred.
• High-level communication and persuasive skills to communicate and coordinate consensus on civil aviation issues and policy concerns of our member companies.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, programs, and value of membership in AIA to maintain and increase membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or untapped markets.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to write or oversee technical briefs, advocacy papers, and comments on rulemaking activities.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in customer service with high standards of timeliness and responsiveness.
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, collegiality, and self-motivation are necessary for success.
• Experience with or in US government agencies (FAA/DOT) and/or Congressional committees that oversee civil aviation issues.

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.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Legislative Affairs will assist with the Association’s legislative program related to civil, commercial, and national security space. You will collaborate with the Legislative Affairs team to prepare and present the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry’s priorities before Congress and advocate for those priorities; support AIA events and informational sessions on Capitol Hill; and inform AIA members of congressional actions and potential impacts to the A&D industry.  In this role, you will assist with the preparation of AIA positions and strategic advocacy on legislation, primarily related to civil, commercial, and national security space.  The Manager is expected to partner with the leadership team and AIA members to develop and execute AIA’s legislative strategy and advocate those positions before Congress.  It is expected that this position may 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 Senior Director, Legislative Affairs and will be a critical partner alongside other members of the Legislative Affairs, Communications, and Space Systems divisions to support our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for successful execution of AIA’s legislative strategy as it relates to civil, commercial and national security space.  Under direction of the Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, the position provides broad support to AIA’s overall legislative strategy with a focus on space systems issues.  Where needed, it is expected that the Manager 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 role requires 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.

This position will be a key partner alongside the Space Systems division to support our mission. The individual is expected to deliver high levels of service and may be called on as a subject matter expert who can solve problems for stakeholders, respond to inquiries from and build consensus between member companies, and represent the interests of the aerospace and defense industry before Congress.

• Monitor Congressional activity on assigned issues, provide timely feedback to AIA members; and recommend AIA positions and strategies for AIA’s legislative advocacy.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Congressional staff and Members of Congress; meet regularly with Congressional Members and staff, both independently and with others.
• Work closely with AIA member company representatives, AIA’s committees and councils, industry coalitions, and other associations to develop consensus, promote and advance industry positions. The Manager may be required to participate on an AIA committee.
• Assist with the work of Congressional Caucuses to amplify aerospace and defense thought leadership on Capitol Hill.
• Coordinate with other staff and assists in preparation of AIA activities at internal and external strategic calendar events. May include international air shows, AIA Board of Governors meetings, Congressional briefings or receptions, and other events as needed.
• Review and contribute to articles, blogs, reports, electronic communications, and other written materials reporting on legislation and advancing industry positions.
• Draft Congressional testimony and statements/letters for the record to be presented by AIA executives, and coordinate AIA’s Congressional hearing activities to ensure successful and responsive presentations.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of full-time experience on Capitol Hill (space and/or defense experience preferred) and Associations.
• In-depth and demonstrated knowledge of the federal legislative process.
• Excellent interpersonal, research, and communications skills (verbal and written).
• Proven skills in making presentations before small and large groups.
• Ability to execute work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to consistently make sound judgments.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficient in applicable technology programs and applications.
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment while developing and maintaining positive work relationships.

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.

Winter/Spring 2023

Overview

Have a passion for aerospace, program management, or STEM? Join us as the Winter/Spring 2023 intern for the world’s largest rocket contest, the American Rocketry Challenge. The internship gives selected interns the opportunity to be involved in the hands-on planning and execution of the aerospace and defense industry’s signature STEM initiative, reaching nearly 5,000 students annually. Interns will gain valuable training in project management, communications, and data-driven research.

An intern will work as an integral part of a small team that manages the American Rocketry Challenge, so they will be actively involved in a variety of different program aspects. By the end of the internship, the individual will garner an understanding of non-profit program management, diverse communications skills, and a clear, intern-managed project.

This internship requires a 20-to-25-hour time commitment per week. This internship is based in Washington, D.C. and the Eastern time zone. In-person availability is preferred but hybrid schedules can be arranged. The intern is expected to assist in-person at the American Rocketry Challenge Finals on May 19th and 20th, 2023. The intern may also be expected to assist in-person at up to two additional Saturday activities prior to Finals.

Interested applicants should send in a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Applications and selection of an intern will be considered on a rolling basis. This is a paid internship at $15/hr.

Responsibilities

• Assisting the Program Director in the administration of all programming related to the 2023 American Rocketry Challenge
• Assisting with vendor communication and event management of the 2023 National Finals
• Assisting with digital communications including social media, graphic design, and newsletters
• Selecting, in consultation with the Program Director, a specific project area of the contest (Virtual Competitions, Partnerships, Communications, Virtual Events, etc.) to develop and execute project plans
• Assisting with registration and team applications for the 2023 American Rocketry Challenge
• Assisting with the administration of our 2023 STEM Innovation Grant program for Title I schools
• Assisting with the administration of our Alumni Network

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student, seniors preferred, with a passion for aerospace, education, and/or youth engagement. All majors will be considered.
• Prior internship experienced preferred.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills
• Excellent communication, attention to detail, and time management skills
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and Canva.
• Experience with Click-up or another Project Management software is a plus, but not required.

About the American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems. Since the program’s founding in 2002, over 80,000 students have gained invaluable STEM skills through hands-on, project-based learning.