ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a creative and collaborative Director, Localization Programs to join our rapidly growing team in either Washington, DC or Costa Mesa, CA. In this highly cross-functional role, you will partner closely with the company’s Business Lines, Mission Operations, Trade & Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Operations to ensure our global localization commitments are credible, fully compliant, and flawlessly delivered. You will bridge the gap between the field and the factory, translating real-world customer demand directly into our product and production strategies. By aligning the company’s manufacturing footprint, industrial partnerships, and in-country investments with local market realities, you will empower the Global Defense team to exceed allied mission demands and drive massive revenue growth through strategic engagements, product excellence, and a long-term commitment to customer success.
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ABOUT THE TEAM
The Global Defense (GD) team is responsible for establishing and expanding the company’s international business — developing and delivering the products and technology that address the unique security challenges faced by America's Allies and partners. The team operates across every major theater, pairing deep regional expertise with a sophisticated command of foreign military sales, trade, and compliance frameworks.
GD team members serve as the bridge between international customers and the broader company enterprise; they translate partner-nation requirements and perspectives back to the company’s Business Lines, while serving as the company’s ambassadors and partners abroad. They shape and capture new opportunities by leveraging the company’s strengths in innovation, modern warfighting, agile foreign sales strategies, and rigorous export compliance. The team's work spans the full lifecycle of international engagement: global strategy and market analysis; international business development and deal navigation; partnerships and representation; trade, export control, and Tech Security & Foreign Disclosure (TSFD); and the global operations, security, and in-country presence required to execute.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Architect & run the company’s global localization playbook: design and drive localization, offset, and industrial participation programs and strategies that unlock market access and accelerate expansion across priority countries and regions.
- Turn requirements into programs: build the in-country partnerships, supply chain commitments, and industrial participation programs that win deals and satisfy government obligations, working hand-in-hand with country/regional teams and business lines.
- Fuel the pipeline: partner with country teams, business lines, and Corporate Development to identify, shape, and convert large-scale capture opportunities.
- Quarterback complex captures: bring localization expertise to major pursuits, aligning offers, partners, and commitments to maximize win probability.
- Build the partner ecosystem: in partnership with the company’s Supply Chain and Production organizations, source and establish relationships with local primes, suppliers, and industrial partners that make the company a credible, durable in-country player.
- Navigate the rules: translate offset regimes, local content requirements, and industrial participation obligations into actionable, compliant strategies that hold up over the life of a program.
- Scale the function: establish the frameworks, metrics, and discipline to manage industrial participation commitments across a fast-growing global portfolio. Build the playbook for localization to support all the company’s business lines.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated experience negotiating and executing in-country partnerships, teaming arrangements, JVs, or supply chain commitments with foreign governments and industry.
- A proven track record of successfully structuring and delivering offset and/or industrial participation programs.
- Robust knowledge of and experience navigating localization frameworks, offset regimes, and industrial cooperation for defense and technology projects internationally.
- Deep working knowledge of offset regimes, local content requirements, and industrial participation obligations across multiple regions (e.g., Europe, Indo-Pacific, Middle East).
- Strong commercial and financial acumen; you can model the cost, value, and risk of offset/industrial participation commitments over a program lifecycle.
- Ability to travel internationally 50-75% of the time.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree, ideally in technology or engineering, required; advanced degree (MBA, international relations, or related) strongly preferred.
- Experience with integrated complex systems and defense programs involving hardware and software.
- Experience with government business development, government contract structures, government proposal processes a plus.
- Experience managing complex technical government projects a plus.
- Familiarity with enterprise AI and autonomous systems a plus.
BENEFITS
At the company, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of the company’s total compensation package.
