Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer
Location: Remote (U.S. based candidates only)

A breakthrough opportunity awaits a dynamic and mission-driven leader. Our client, an aerospace innovator poised to revolutionize how aircraft are modified, certified, and manufactured, is seeking a transformative Chief Executive Officer to lead their next chapter. This is not a maintenance role, but a builder’s dream. The incoming CEO will take the reins of a high-growth, product-centric company transitioning from experimental success to certified manufacturing scale. With a clean-sheet aircraft development roadmap ahead, this role is for a founder-minded executive who is ready to drive execution, lead bold innovation, and build enterprise value from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead and scale all core business units including engineering, certification, sales, operations, and manufacturing.
• Establish operational structure and systems to transition from prototype to production-grade aircraft manufacturing.
• Maintain laser focus on timelines, cost control, and deliverable quality – while navigating the path to FAA certification and production milestones.

Revenue Growth and Market Expansion

• Drive all aspects of business development from initial sales efforts to post-certification government and commercial growth.
• Personally manage strategic partnerships and large enterprise contracts.
• Champion adoption through building trust with early customers and securing flagship wins.

Capital Strategy and Investor Relations

• Own fundraising strategy and serve as the face of the company to investors.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to align capital raises with real-world execution milestones.
• Ensure valuation is built through performance, not promise.

Team and Culture Building

• Attract and retain elite, execution-focused talent.
• Establish a resilient, fast-moving company culture built on accountability, adaptability, and mission focus.
• Build a lean but powerful leadership team with a no-politics, no-theory approach.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Founder-Grade Leadership

• Demonstrated experience in leading a startup or high-growth operation through scale.
• High accountability mindset, entrepreneurial grit, and hands-on leadership style.

Deep Aerospace Domain Knowledge

• Strong familiarity with aircraft certification, modification, or manufacturing – ideally with FAA Part 23/25 program experience.
• Able to translate technical milestones into business growth.

Sales & Commercial Acumen

• Proven success in leading multimillion-dollar hardware sales and government or defense sector contracts.
• Effective communicator across technical and non-technical audiences.

Relentless Executor

• Known for getting things done – designing systems, solving problems, and delivering outcomes.
• High adaptability in resource-constrained, fast-moving environments.

Bonus Expertise:

• Experience leading aircraft factory build-outs or certification processes.
• Background in electrified aviation systems or adjacent emerging aerospace technologies.
• Familiarity with public-private sector dynamics, including compliance and procurement.

This Role Offers:

• Complete executive authority and decision-making control.
• Direct path to equity value creation and strategic ownership of company trajectory.
• Unparalleled opportunity to scale a venture from advanced prototype to certified aircraft production.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4y