I'm looking for senior director roles in aviation solutions based in Germantown, MD, specifically requiring at least 15 years of experience in aerospace, preferably with a master's degree, and offering a full-time position.

Okay, I've searched for senior director roles in aviation solutions located in Germantown, MD, requiring 15+ years of aerospace experience, a master's degree preferred, and full-time employment. I have found several positions matching these criteria for you.

Senior Director

Aviation

Germantown, MD

15 years + Experience

Master

Can you help me to analyze the job description and company culture?

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Sr. Director - Aviation Solutions and Services role at EchoStar's Hughes Network Systems division is fundamentally about leading and advancing the aviation segment's business growth by managing the entire proposal lifecycle, aligning marketing with business development, and driving strategic initiatives that leverage cutting-edge satellite communication technology. This individual must orchestrate a complex, cross-functional matrix of teams—from sales and engineering to finance and legal—to produce compliant, compelling bids that balance competitiveness with profitability. Deep technical expertise in aerospace communications, particularly in IFEC technologies and satellite networks (GEO and LEO), is essential, as the role hinges on the ability to translate sophisticated technology into market-winning proposals and innovative product concepts. The position demands an executive who can navigate ambiguity, make rigorous bid/no-bid decisions, and lead teams under tight timelines, ensuring operational excellence and high-quality submissions that meet client-specific requirements. Leadership qualities are equally critical, as this person will mentor managers and engineers, instill process discipline, and help shape strategic direction within a dynamic environment influenced by evolving aviation markets and government procurement practices. Success in this role looks like winning multi-million-dollar commercial programs, elevating the aviation division’s market presence, and establishing effective, measurable performance frameworks that continuously optimize capture, proposal, and marketing outcomes.

Company Analysis:

Hughes Network Systems, a key subsidiary of EchoStar, holds a strong position as a global leader and innovator in satellite communication technologies and managed network services. The company operates in a fast-evolving industry where innovation, reliability, and market agility are critical. Hughes’ dominant market share in satellite terminals and its expansive portfolio across consumer, enterprise, and government markets reveal a scale that combines stability with growth-minded innovation. Working here means engaging in a mission-driven culture that highly values operational excellence, technical innovation, and global connectivity solutions. For the Sr. Director role, this environment means navigating the intersection of technological sophistication and commercial pragmatism, requiring someone comfortable in high-stakes leadership with visibility into senior executive strategy. The company culture appears to emphasize collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, backed by strong benefits and support for employee well-being and growth. Strategically, this role aligns directly with Hughes' objective to expand its footprint in the aviation sector, a critical high-value vertical. It’s likely a growth-oriented, strategic hire aimed at scaling the aviation business unit’s market share through differentiated solutions and winning large-scale contracts, requiring a candidate who is both technically savvy and adept at cross-team influence within a matrixed organizational structure.

Mock up some interview questions based on the job description.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you led a complex, cross-functional proposal effort that had tight deadlines and high stakes. How did you ensure alignment and quality under pressure?
Behavioral: Describe an instance where you had to make a difficult bid/no-bid decision. What factors did you consider, and what was the outcome?
Behavioral: How have you mentored or developed a team of technical professionals or proposal managers to improve performance and foster innovation?
Behavioral: Share an experience when you had to manage competing priorities between sales, engineering, and finance during a proposal development process. How did you handle the conflicts?
Technical: How would you approach developing a proposal strategy for a satellite-based in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system aimed at commercial airlines?
Technical: Explain how you assess and incorporate satellite technology trends, such as GEO versus LEO constellations, into aviation solutions and proposals.
Technical: What processes or tools have you found most effective in managing proposal compliance and pricing strategy to optimize both customer satisfaction and profitability?
Technical: Can you walk me through your experience with government procurement rules like FAR/DFARS and how they impact proposal development in aerospace?
Situational: Imagine you receive an RFP with ambiguous technical requirements and a tight deadline. What steps would you take to clarify the scope and ensure a winning response?
Situational: Suppose the sales team is pushing to submit a proposal despite concerns about pricing and technical feasibility. How would you handle this to ensure the bid aligns with company goals?
Situational: You have multiple high-value bids in progress with overlapping deadlines. How do you prioritize resources and maintain quality across all submissions?
Company Fit: What interests you most about working at Hughes Network Systems and its aviation division specifically?
Company Fit: How do your career goals and leadership style align with Hughes’ mission of innovation and operational excellence?
Company Fit: Hughes emphasizes collaboration across diverse teams. How do you approach building productive relationships in a complex matrix organization?
Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe how the aviation solutions team interacts with other Hughes business units, such as product development and engineering?
Questions for Interviewer: What are the biggest challenges currently facing the aviation division, and how would you expect this role to address them?
Questions for Interviewer: How is success measured for this role within the first year, and what are the key milestones the team is targeting?

Job Details

Overview Company

Senior Director, Aviation Solutions & Services

$161k/y-$230k/y

Hughes

8 days ago

Highlight

OnsiteFull-time15+ yearsDirector

Summary

EchoStar Corporation is seeking a Sr Director - Aviation Solutions and Services to join their team in Germantown, MD. The role involves leading the strategic development, execution, and management of bids, proposals, and marketing initiatives for the aviation division.

About the Role

As a Sr Director - Aviation Solutions and Services, you will be responsible for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of aviation-related bids and proposals, supporting sales and business development, and executing marketing strategies. You will lead a high-performing team, develop competitive bids, and promote the organization's capabilities across commercial and business aviation sectors.

About You

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering field.
15+ years of experience in aviation or aerospace industry with a strong background in proposals, marketing, and business development.

Preferred:

Master’s degree in EE, CS, AE, and or MBA.
Analytical, with financial acumen.
Deep understanding of the IFEC market with technical knowledge of GEO, LEO systems.
Ability to model flight routes and make capacity decisions.
Proven track record of winning multi-million aviation programs (commercial).
Deep understanding of aviation markets, industry trends, and government procurement (FAR/DFARS if applicable).
Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail, and process oriented.
Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and manage relationships with customers and suppliers.
Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
Employee stock purchase plan.
Profit-sharing.
Company-paid life insurance, AD&D and disability.
Paid Time Off (PTO), company-paid holidays.
Health and wellness events, exercise and sports facilities.
Tuition reimbursement.
Employee referral program.
Year round employee events and community programs.
Discounts on Dish Network and HughesNet.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Health Savings Account (HSA) with opportunities to earn employer contributions.
Health Care, Dependent Care and Transportation Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

Hughes

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks since 1971, provides broadband equipment and services; managed services featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for millions of consumers, businesses, governments and communities worldwide. The Hughes flagship Internet service, Hughesnet®, connects millions of people across the Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers Internet access for tens of millions more worldwide. Hughes supplies more than half the global satellite terminal market to leading satellite operators, in-flight service providers, mobile network operators and military customers. A managed network services provider, Hughes supports hundreds of thousands of enterprise sites with its portfolio of wired and wireless managed solutions. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes is owned by EchoStar. To learn more, visit www.hughes.com.

Germantown, MD