Vice President, Defense Industrial

Parsons Corporation

About The Position

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible. Job Description: The Vice President, Defense Industrial (Industrial Base) leads our global portfolio focused on the U.S. and allied defense industrial base, including Army Ammunition Plants (AAPs)/Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GOCO) facilities, munitions and energetics facilities, open burn (OB)/open detonation (OD) replacement projects, and other industrial modernization and process plant assets. This role is responsible for shaping our presence in this critical market, driving profitable growth, and delivering high-consequence projects in close coordination with ES-wide service lines and functional departments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (chemical, mechanical, industrial, civil), Construction Management, or related field.
15+ years of experience with industrial facilities in defense or related sectors (munitions, energetics, process plants, or heavy manufacturing).
7+ years in senior leadership roles with direct P&L responsibility.
Demonstrated experience leading complex modernization or greenfield industrial projects, ideally for DoD or major primes.
Strong understanding of process safety, environmental regulations, and high-hazard facility operations.
Ability to lead in a matrix environment and work effectively with cross-functional service line teams.
Residing in the Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland area to support our customers and facilities or willingness to travel up to 50% to project sites.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MBA, MS in Engineering, etc.) or equivalent experience.
Experience with AAPs/GOCOs, OB/OD replacement, and industrial base modernization programs.
Active or prior security clearance, or ability to obtain one.
Strong network with defense industrial base stakeholders and OEMs/primes.

Responsibilities

Market Leadership & Strategy Define and lead the strategy for the Defense Industrial market, spanning government-owned and contractor-operated facilities, munitions plants, and other defense manufacturing infrastructure. Anticipate industrial base modernization needs, capacity expansions, and policy-driven investments (e.g., OIB/DIB initiatives). Identify priority segments (munitions/energetics, propellants, explosives, specialty materials, sustainment facilities) and align offerings accordingly. Develop deep relationships with key customers (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, OSD, major primes) involved in industrial base programs.
Business Development & Growth Own growth objectives for the Defense Industrial market, including new wins, recompetes, and expansion into adjacent industrial sectors. Lead and oversee strategic capture efforts for major modernization and replacement programs, including OB/OD replacement. Shape pursuit strategies, teaming, pricing, and value propositions to emphasize safety, throughput, and lifecycle performance. Coordinate with other sectors (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, cyber) to offer integrated industrial base solutions.
P&L and Portfolio Management Own P&L for the Defense Industrial portfolio, ensuring strong financial performance and disciplined risk management. Balance the portfolio across planning/design, PM/CM, and construction/D-B work to optimize returns. Manage exposure associated with high-hazard facilities (energetics, explosives) including safety, environmental, and regulatory risks. Drive proactive portfolio reviews to identify underperforming work, rationalize low-margin activities, and prioritize high-value programs.
Delivery Excellence (in Partnership with Service Lines) Set performance expectations tailored to industrial facilities (e.g., safety, reliability, throughput, maintainability). Work with PDE, PM/CM, and Construction & D-B service line leaders to field integrated, multi-disciplinary teams. Ensure application of ES-wide standards while incorporating specialized industrial and process safety requirements. Sponsor key high-risk or high-visibility projects and help resolve complex technical or stakeholder issues.
Talent & Culture Build and develop a leadership team that understands industrial base operations, process facilities, and high-hazard environments. Partner with service line leaders to ensure access to specialized skills (process engineers, safety specialists, industrial PMs). Foster a culture of safety, rigor, and continuous improvement consistent with high-hazard industrial environments. Support talent development and succession planning for future leaders in the industrial base market.