Location: Hyderabad, India

Engagement Model: Equity-based advisory role (no monthly retainer)

Experience Required: 20–25+ years in the aerospace, defence, or related industries

Reporting To: CEO / Founder

About Company

Our client is building a precision manufacturing and engineering company focused on serving the aerospace, defence and space sectors. Building on more than 35 years of domain heritage, the company is expanding its capabilities in precision manufacturing, electro-mechanical assemblies and indigenous component development.

Our vision is to establish a solid manufacturing backbone for aerospace, defence and space companies by combining engineering expertise with advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, AI, IoT and additive manufacturing.

We are looking for an experienced Strategic Advisor & Mentor who can work closely with the CEO to build the company from the ground up, establish strategic industry relationships, identify business opportunities and drive the company's growth journey.

Key Responsibilities

- Strategic Leadership: Act as a trusted advisor and mentor to the CEO, supporting business planning, decision-making and execution.
- Help define the company's long-term vision, business priorities, growth strategy and execution roadmap.
- Go-to-Market Strategy: Develop GTM strategies, identify target markets and recommend the right products, projects and business opportunities.
- Identify target customers, OEMs, government organisations, DPSUs, defence technology companies and potential industry partners.
- Recommend suitable market-entry strategies and customer engagement approaches.
- Business Development:



Leverage an established professional network to facilitate introductions and engagement with government defence organisations, DPSUs, aerospace/defence OEMs and private defence companies.
- Project Acquisition & Coordination: Identify potential programmes, RFQs, partnerships and contracts, and support customer engagement and project execution.
- Advise the CEO on which projects and product categories the company should prioritise based on market demand, technical feasibility, profitability and strategic fit.
- Company Building: Help establish business processes, develop strategic partnerships and build the capabilities required to scale manufacturing operations.
- Mentor the CEO and team on project planning, milestone tracking, customer communication and execution discipline.
- Investor Relations: Where possible, support fundraising strategy, investor introductions and strategic partnerships.
- Industry Mentorship: Guide the CEO on defence procurement, supplier qualification, market positioning and sustainable business growth.

Required Qualifications & Experience

- Minimum 20–25+ years of qualified experience in the aerospace, defence, military technology, precision manufacturing or closely related industries.




- Prior professional experience working in a defence or aerospace organisation, OEM, DPSU, defence technology company or relevant manufacturing business.
- Demonstrable understanding of the Indian defence and aerospace ecosystem, including procurement processes, supplier qualification, programme execution and industry requirements.
- An established and relevant professional network within government defence organisations and aerospace/defence OEMs.
- Proven experience in business development, strategic planning, programme coordination, industry partnerships or business scaling.
- Experience supporting the establishment, transformation or growth of a business is strongly preferred.
- Strong commercial understanding of manufacturing economics, project costing, customer acquisition and long sales cycles.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, relationship management and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work directly with the CEO and contribute both strategic direction and practical execution support.

How To Express Interest Interested candidates may share their profile along with a brief summary of their aerospace/defence industry experience, previous advisory or business-development contributions, relevant professional network, and examples of companies or programmes they have helped establish, develop or scale. We welcome conversations with experienced industry professionals who can bring strategic insight, credibility, meaningful relationships and execution-oriented mentorship.

Skills: aerospace,manufacturing,professional network,strategy,partnerships,oems,government

📌 Strategic Advisor & Mentor – Aerospace & Defence (Hyderabad)
🏢 Cognisol
📍 Hyderabad