Careers

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

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Position Summary:

AIA’s International Division at AIA is responsible for promoting domestic and international policies and practices that help American companies compete in the global marketplace and cooperate with our allies and foreign partners. This position is responsible for providing analysis, policy, legislative, and communications recommendations on international affairs issues impacting the aerospace and defense industry. These topics include but are not limited to defense trade, regional security issues, relationships with U.S. government and foreign governments, and regulations/policies made by U.S. and foreign governments.

Activities may be related to any area of the International Division portfolio but are expected to focus primarily on U.S. and international regulatory policy. Likely issue areas include: defense trade (foreign military sales and direct commercial sales), offset policies, multilateral agreements, and the foreign regulatory environment. This position will also provide division leadership at the direction of the Vice President, International Affairs.

This position reports to the Vice President, International Affairs.

Key Responsibilities:

The Senior Director, International Affairs will be responsible for AIA’s overall defense trade agenda by developing policy recommendations, advocacy strategies, and communications and legislation recommendations on defense trade policy, FMS, DCS, global defense industrial base cooperation, exportability, multilateral security partnerships, defense trade treaties, and other policy aspects. The incumbent will be responsible for leading AIA committees and subcommittees focused on defense trade, interacting with AIA leadership, members, and outside industry and government stakeholders, and other key personnel to advance the Association’s defense trade program. As the staff lead for AIA’s defense trade policy agenda, this position is a critical element of the division’s overall international affairs policy and advocacy program.

In addition to the policy and regulatory portfolio, the Senior Director, International Affairs will be responsible for assisting the Vice President, International Affairs with day-to-day operations of the division and, as needed, the strategic direction of the international advocacy portfolio. They will also serve as the primary backup to Vice President when that person is unavailable to represent the division or the Association on international issues.

Direct Policy and Advocacy Development in in Defense Trade and Related Issues (35%)

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to, and independently manage, AIA’s Defense Trade Committee, Offsets Subcommittee, and any other ad hoc working groups for policy development, outside stakeholder convening, and advocacy strategy development.
• Draft, edit, and develop defense trade-related materials for AIA leadership, members, and outside stakeholders, including policy memos, meeting minutes, remarks and talking points, meeting agendas, letters, background materials, and white papers.
• Interface, build, and maintain relationships with U.S. government defense trade agencies, including the State Department’s Regional Security and Arms Transfer (RSAT) bureau, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the Defense Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
• Monitor government Federal Register Notices (FRNs) related to U.S. defense trade impacting the aerospace/defense industry.
• Maintain AIA International Affairs defense trade-related committee and working group materials and ensure timely distribution of meeting notices to members and invited guests.

Conduct Policy Analysis and Provide Action Recommendations (25%)

• Research, monitor, maintain, and provide updates on changes in defense trade-related policy regulations and legislation, multilateral security partnerships, and defense trade treaties.
• Provide expert analysis and recommendations on strategy, positions, and actions for AIA leadership and members on defense trade-related matters, multilateral security partnerships, and defense trade treaties, exportability, etc. to include consensus-based responses to Federal Register Notices (FRNs) and any pending legislation.

Member Management and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Work closely with the defense trade, government affairs, and business development teams in AIA member companies to develop defense trade-related advocacy and engagement strategies.
• Represent AIA on a continuous basis and interface with outside defense trade-focused stakeholders, including the U.S. government, other trade association partners, foreign governments, etc.
• Contribute written and oral division-wide updates through articles, webinars, weekly newsletters, and other communications products.

Division Management and Enterprise-wide Collaboration (20%)

• Assist the Vice President, International Affairs with day-to-day operations of the division and, as needed, the strategic direction of the international advocacy portfolio.
• Represent the Division and, as directed, the Association on international affairs issue before key constituencies, including congressional staff, news media, and outside government stakeholders.
• Provide support to AIA-wide flagship events, including bi-yearly meetings, quarterly executive meetings, monthly industry-wide interactions, and international air and trade shows.
• Collaborate with other divisions on organization-wide requirements.
• Serve as division/company representative in internal collaboration meetings as directed by the Vice President, International Affairs.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• The Senior Director, International Affairs must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense trade community, with focused experience in defense FMS, DCS, and technology security.
• Ability to quickly analyze defense trade policy issues and synthesize the information for senior AIA leadership and members.
• Native understanding and extensive work within the Microsoft Office environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, SharePoint) is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills (concise, timely, positive nature).
• Ability to work under time pressure to meet deadlines and capability to quickly flex to changes in priorities.
• Strong people skills with an ability to interface at all levels of the organization, with all levels of leadership, and work within a diverse organization.
• Organized, attentive to details, ability to independently prioritize, timely, and have the ability to multi-task duties.
• Must possess well-developed interpersonal and time management skills.
• Analytical, flexible thinker with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and collaborate across AIA.
• Natural desire to take ownership to contribute to the broader team.
• Motivated, “can-do” attitude that contributes to the mission of the organization and the industry.
• Ability to handle confidential and/or proprietary information with professionalism, maturity, discretion, and trust.

Desired Skills/Experience

• Past experience in running long-term projects or advocacy campaigns is desired.
• Writing skills orientated towards senior leaders, including the ability to develop background and talking points quickly and in a concise manner is sought after.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., international affairs, political science, public affairs/public policy/public administration, business/economics, etc.) is required. Master’s degree or commensurate work experience is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years work experience with a knowledge of international trade and regulatory issues, particularly as they relate to U.S. industry and/or defense trade policy.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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 non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, which may be assigned by the supervisor according to varying business needs.

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

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Position Summary:

AIA’s International Division at AIA is responsible for promoting domestic and international policies and practices that help American companies compete in the global marketplace and cooperate with our allies and foreign partners. This position is responsible for facilitating communication and coordination to provide policy analysis and recommendations on U.S. and international trade matters impacting the aerospace and defense industry.

Activities may be related to any area of the International Division portfolio but are expected to focus primarily on U.S. and international regulatory policy. Likely issue areas include: export controls, sanctions, customs and import regulations, commercial trade, critical materials and minerals, the foreign regulatory environment, regulatory impact of bilateral and multilateral treaties and trade agreements, and development of trade compliance standards.

This position reports to the Vice President, International Affairs.

The median compensation for this position is $85,000.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Policy and Advocacy Development in Trade and Regulatory Issues (40%)

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to, and independently manage, AIA’s Commercial Trade Committee, Export Control Committee, Global Supply Chain Subcommittee, and any other ad hoc working groups for policy development, outside stakeholder convening, and advocacy strategy development.
• Draft, edit, and develop commercial trade and export control-related materials for AIA leadership, members, and outside stakeholders, including policy memos, meeting minutes, remarks and talking points, meeting agendas, letters, background materials, regulatory responses, and white papers.
• Interface, build, and maintain relationships with relevant U.S. government trade agencies, including the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and International Trade Administration (ITA), and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
• Monitor government Federal Register Notices (FRNs), Congressional hearings and proceedings, and press reports to identify emerging issues or trends related to U.S. international trade issues impact the aerospace and defense industry.
• Maintain AIA International Affairs export control and commercial trade-relate committee and working group materials and ensure timely distribution of meeting notices to members and invited guests.

Conduct Policy Analysis and Provide Action Recommendations (30%)

• Research, monitor, maintain, and provide updates on changes in trade-related policy regulations and legislation and multilateral partnerships.
• Monitor changes to major export control regulations, report those changes to AIA leadership and members, and recommend appropriate action.
• Provide expert analysis and recommendations on strategy, positions, and actions for AIA leadership and members on trade-related matters, export control regulations, commercial trade restrictions, etc. to include consensus-based responses to Federal Register Notices (FRNs) and any pending legislation.

Member Management and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Work closely and directly with the commercial trade, export control, government affairs, and business development teams in AIA member companies to develop trade-related advocacy and engagement strategies.
• Represent AIA on a continuous basis and interface with outside trade-focused stakeholders, including the U.S. government, other trade association partners, foreign governments, etc.
• Contribute written and oral division-wide updates through articles, webinars, weekly newsletters, and other communications products.

Enterprise-wide Collaboration (10%)

• Provide support to AIA-wide flagship events, including bi-yearly meetings, quarterly executive meetings, monthly industry-wide interactions, and international air and trade shows.
• Collaborate with other divisions on organization-wide requirements.
• Serve as division/company representative in internal collaboration meetings as directed by the Vice President, International Affairs.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to quickly analyze defense trade policy issues and synthesize the information for senior AIA leadership and members.
• Native understanding and extensive work within the Microsoft Office environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, SharePoint) is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills (concise, timely, positive nature).
• Prepares documentation that is self-reviewed and well thought out.
• Ability to work under time pressure to meet deadlines and capability to quickly flex to changes in priorities. In addition, be flexible where extra hours are needed without always being asked.
• Strong people skills with an ability to interface at all levels of the organization, with all levels of leadership, and work within a diverse organization.
• Organized, attentive to details, ability to independently prioritize, timely, and ability to multi-task duties. In addition, possesses well-developed interpersonal and time management skills.
• Analytical, flexible thinker with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and collaborate across AIA.
• Natural desire to take ownership to contribute to the broader team.
• Motivated, “can-do” attitude that contributes to the mission of the organization and the industry.
• Ability to handle confidential and/or proprietary information with professionalism, maturity, discretion, and trust.

Desired Skills/Experience

• Existing familiarity with the U.S. defense trade system and legislative requirements is highly desirable but not required.
• Past experience in running long-term projects or advocacy campaigns is desired.
• Writing skills orientated towards senior leaders, including the ability to develop background and talking points quickly and in a concise manner is sought after.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., international affairs, political science, public affairs/public policy/public administration, business/economics, etc.) is required. Master’s degree or commensurate work experience is preferred.
• Minimum five years work experience with a knowledge of international trade and regulatory issues, particularly as they relate to U.S. industry and/or defense trade policy.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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 non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

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

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Position Summary:

The Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) communications team is a key driver of the organization’s advocacy and outreach strategy, sharing the story of how the aerospace and defense industry contributes to America’s safety, security, and economic success.

The Manager, Content and Communications is a central storyteller, editor, and content strategist for AIA. This role is responsible for shaping, developing, and maintaining AIA’s core written products — from executive speeches and long-form thought leadership to member-facing content and internal communications — ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment across audiences and platforms.

Working closely with AIA leadership, policy and legislative teams, membership, and internal operations, this position plays a critical role in translating complex policy priorities into compelling, accessible, and strategic content that advances AIA’s mission.

The salary range for this role is $65,000 – $73,000.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Content Development (30%)

• Lead AIA’s speechwriting efforts, including drafting, editing, and maintaining a centralized speech bank for senior leadership.
• Serve as chief editor for AIA’s long-form external products, including white papers, reports, policy explainers, and issue briefs developed by AIA’s policy teams.
• Draft and edit longer-form written products such as op-eds, long-form blog posts, CEO bylined articles, and other thought leadership content.
• Maintain and regularly update off-the-shelf talking points, messaging frameworks, and strategic narratives for use across the organization.
• Partner with policy and issue-area teams to translate complex subject matter into clear, compelling content for external audiences.

Digital & Platform Content (25%)

• Serve as the day-to-day lead on drafting compelling social media content, including graphics and video as needed.
• Spearhead rapid social media response and ensure AIA stays current to the latest social media trends and strategies.
• Support development and execution of AIA’s social media content strategy in coordination with the Manager of Digital Assets.
• Update and maintain website copy to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with AIA priorities and messaging.
• Work with Coordinator, Communications and Legislative Affairs, to support these efforts.

Thought Leadership (15%)

• Identify, develop, and support thought leadership opportunities for AIA leadership and subject matter experts.
• Maintain and manage AIA’s editorial calendar, coordinating content priorities across communications, policy, and membership teams.
• Ensure alignment and consistency across written products, speeches, digital content, and media-facing materials.

Member-Facing & Internal Communications (15%)

• Partner with the membership team to support clear, engaging member-facing communications that explain AIA priorities and impact.
• Partner with HR to support an internal messaging strategy that informs, engages, and aligns staff.
• Help ensure consistency between internal, member-facing, and external messaging.

Media & Cross-Team Support (15%)

• Support drafting and editing of press releases and other media materials in coordination with the Senior Manager, Media Relations.
• Provide general communications support to policy and issue divisions, serving as a trusted writing, editing, and strategy resource.
• Work collaboratively across the communications team to advance AIA priorities, align messaging, and strengthen the organization’s voice.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience producing long-form written content.
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible language.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.

Desired Skills/Experience

• Minimum of four years in communications, legislative affairs, or trade association experience.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.
• Understanding of public policy, advocacy, or trade association communications preferred; Capitol Hill experience a strong plus.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Enthusiastic about the aerospace and defense industry.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative editing tools; graphic design experience, including with Canva, is a plus.

Education

• Bachelor-level degree in communications, English, journalism, or related field or equivalent experience.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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 non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

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

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Position Summary:

The Standards team at the Aerospace Industries Association is seeking a driven individual to support AIA’s National Aerospace Standards (NAS) program and the responsible committees that develop those standards. A significant portion of the NAS library is maintained by the National Aerospace Standards Committee (NASC) and contains standardized parts and process specifications for components that are used in commercial and military aircraft, spacecraft, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery. The candidate will work with subject matter experts from aerospace manufacturers, government liaisons, and defense contractors to improve these standards and specifications. Updates to standards will include the addition of sustainable coating alternatives, changes to part drawings, and the supersession of outdated references, among others.

This position primarily provides engineering support to the NASC to maintain the NAS collection through a mandatory 5-year review process, in coordination with the Senior Manager, Standards Engineering and Senior Manager, Standards. The process includes reviewing standards and making a recommendation to the committee to reaffirm, revise, stabilize, or withdraw standards that are up for review.

Key Responsibilities:

Standards Revision Project Work (70%)

• Review approximately 20-25 standards each month using a set of criteria for the 5-year review, making a recommendation on each standard to reaffirm, revise, stabilize, or cancel, preparing each standard for committee vote, and addressing comments received on the standard during voting within AIA’s balloting system.
• Maintain and update project information in AIA’s Standards Management Portal (SharePoint environment) and tracking database within Smartsheet.
• Provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders regarding the AIA standards development process and support the standards team in growth opportunities for the program.
• Field standards related technical inquiries to AIA in a timely way.

Support of the National Aerospace Standards Committee and Meetings (30%)

• Attend and support NASC meetings 2 times per year.
  • Report on the status and health of the NASC 5-Year Review Process to the NASC.
  • Present during the Adhoc portion of the meeting to get answers for out-of-scope comments and how to resolve them, ask for project sponsors, take actions for helping to solve larger issues.
• Support NASC Steering Committee by conducting engineering research and preparing responses to inquiries from industry in consultation with Steering Committee.
• Assist Manager, Standards on a monthly basis in review of standards before final publication.
• Develop standard operating procedures and cross-train with other staff members to ensure team resiliency.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience producing long-form written content.
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible language.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.

Desired Skills/Experience

• 0-2 years of experience.
• Demonstrated project management experience required.
• Experience working with aerospace or automotive components preferred.
• Smartsheet experience preferred.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external teams.
• Capable of creating and reviewing 2D and 3D CAD drawings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, AutoCAD LT, and SolidWorks.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with audiences across the leadership spectrum.
• SES AStd certification desirable (SES – The Society for Standardization Professionals).
• Some domestic travel required (<10% annually).

Education

• Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline; mechanical or aerospace engineering degree preferred.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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 non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.