Head of Defence Capture & Business Development (Canada–US)

About Volatus Aerospace

Volatus Aerospace is a vertically integrated aerospace and defence company delivering advanced uncrewed systems, aerial intelligence, and mission-critical aviation services across Canada, the United States, and allied markets. With active operations today and rapidly expanding domestic manufacturing, Volatus supports government, defence, and critical infrastructure customers with deployable, scalable capabilities aligned to sovereignty, NATO interoperability, and force modernization priorities.

We are entering a focused growth phase supporting the Canadian Armed Forces, U.S. Department of Defense, and allied defence organizations, and are building a disciplined defence capture function to support that mission.

Role Overview

The Head of Defence Capture & Business Development is responsible for shaping, positioning, and winning defence opportunities across Canada and the United States. This role owns the pre-RFP lifecycle, from early engagement and requirement shaping through bid strategy and down-selects, and serves as the primary interface between Volatus and defence stakeholders.

This is not a transactional sales role. Success is measured by access, positioning, and program wins, not volume of bids or CRM metrics.

Key Responsibilities:

Defence Capture & Strategy

• Lead capture strategy for Canadian and U.S. defence programs across uncrewed systems, ISR, CUAS, logistics, autonomy, and mission support
• Shape requirements and concepts of operations (CONOPS) in advance of formal procurements
• Develop win themes, competitive positioning, and bid/no-bid recommendations
• Align Volatus capabilities with national defence priorities, doctrine, and modernization initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with CAF, DND, US DoD, PEOs, PMOs, and allied defence stakeholders
• Engage credibly with senior military leaders, civilian executives, and procurement officials
• Represent Volatus in defence forums, industry working groups, and capability discussions

Program & Partner Development

• Identify and structure partnerships with primes, integrators, and allied OEMs where appropriate
• Support Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB/IRB) and NTIB-aligned strategies
• Coordinate with internal engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to ensure proposals are executable and credible

Internal Leadership

• Establish capture discipline, processes, and governance
• Mentor internal capture and program resources as the team scales
• Work directly with the CEO and executive team to align defence pursuits with corporate strategy

Candidate Profile 

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in defence acquisition, capture, or military capability development
• Prior experience within:
  • Canadian Armed Forces, DND, or defence procurement and/or
  • U.S. DoD, PEO, PMO, or defence prime contractor
• Demonstrated experience shaping or winning defence programs before RFP release
• Strong understanding of defence procurement processes in Canada and/or the United States

Preferred Background

• Former senior military officer (O-5 to O-7 equivalent) or
• Senior capture or program leader from a defence prime or integrator
• Experience with uncrewed systems, ISR, aerospace, autonomy, or C2 systems
• Familiarity with NATO standards, export controls, and classified/unclassified environments

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong operational judgment
• Able to translate operational needs into technical and industrial solutions
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and pushing back constructively
• High credibility in defence environments; low tolerance for “sales theatre”
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

What Success Looks Like

• Volatus is positioned early in priority defence programs
• Defence stakeholders recognize Volatus as a credible, long-term capability partner
• The company selectively pursues the right programs—and wins them
• Internal teams are aligned around executable, mission-driven solutions

Why Join Volatus

• Direct access to CEO and executive leadership
• Opportunity to shape a defence capture organization from the ground up
• Active manufacturing expansion and sovereign capability focus
• Meaningful impact on national and allied defence capability

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to apply and submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining relevant defence capture and/or military experience.