Interim Vice President, Business Development — Precision Machining & Large-Envelope Structures
Employment Type: Interim / Contract Executive Engagement (immediate start) Location: Southern California — on-site / hybrid, with national travel to customer programs Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Compensation: Competitive interim executive day-rate / engagement fee; performance components available
Overview
Value Driven Solutions is retained by a PE-backed precision machining and large-structures manufacturer serving aerospace & defense primes and tier-1 suppliers. The business runs large, capital-intensive machining centers and is positioned to capture long-cycle structural programs.
We are seeking an interim commercial "rainmaker" — a senior business development leader who can move fast to build qualified backlog, win design-in positions on long-cycle programs, and keep high-value machine capacity loaded. This is a hands-on, hunter-oriented engagement reporting directly to the CEO, with real influence over pipeline strategy and deal structure.
What You'll Drive
-
Asset-loading growth (priority). Treat spindle hours and machine-center utilization as the north star. Pursue work that keeps large, capital-intensive centers loaded — not just PO count or raw volume.
-
Long-cycle program capture (priority). Position the business early — at the requirements and make-vs-buy stage — to be designed into programs where large structures are specified.
-
Targeted hunting in the right grounds (priority). Work the primes and tier-1s that consume large precision structures, leveraging trusted access into the relevant programs and supply-chain organizations.
-
Displacement & "market take" (priority). Monitor competitor exits, capacity gaps, and at-risk programs; run qualification campaigns to win second-source positions.
-
Backlog building. Own a backlog-and-loading report tied to the capacity curve. Qualify hard — pursue only what fits the work envelope, technology roadmap, and cash profile.
-
Risk-based deal shaping. Structure commercial terms — progress/milestone billing, material pass-through, cancellation protection, escalation — to protect margin and cash on long-cycle work.
What You Bring
-
Large-envelope technical fluency (priority). Ability to speak credibly to work envelope, single-setup capability on large parts, fixturing, large-part metrology, and material behavior.
- A proven "hunter" commercial / business development track record in precision machining, large-part fabrication, or complex aerospace & defense structures — measured in captured programs and backlog, not relationships alone.
- An active, trusted network across aerospace & defense primes and tier-1s, with genuine access into live programs and supply-chain organizations.
- Command of long-cycle commercial structures and working-capital / risk-based deal shaping.
- Comfort operating with urgency in a PE-backed environment and reporting directly to the CEO.
-
US Person status required (ITAR-controlled work).
Engagement Details
- Interim / contract executive engagement with immediate start; duration scoped to the capture campaign.
- On-site / hybrid in Southern California, with national travel to customer sites and programs.
- Confidential — NDA required. Client and platform identity disclosed to qualified, shortlisted candidates.
About Value Driven Solutions
Value Driven Solutions is a premium talent and advisory partner serving the industrial and manufacturing sectors. We connect organizations with the precise expertise they need — from interim leadership and specialized operators to subject matter experts supporting time-sensitive strategic initiatives.
