📩 Aperture@thegaogroup.com
Help Build Industrial AI Companies for Aerospace & Defense
Join a Portfolio Company as a Founding Member or Potential Co-Founder
Aerospace and defense production demands rigorous configuration control, traceability, inspection discipline and predictable execution. Small process deviations can affect quality, schedules, costs and product reliability.
Aperture’s Aerospace & Defense Group is developing companies focused on applying connected operational data, industrial AI and intelligent technologies to manufacturing, testing, equipment and quality workflows.
We are seeking experienced industry and technology leaders who are interested in contributing to the development and growth of new companies serving aerospace and defense operations.
Whether you are interested in contributing as a Founding Member or exploring a potential Co-Founder role, this is an opportunity to apply your experience to the development of next-generation industrial technology companies.
Portfolio Companies
The Aerospace & Defense Group includes proposed companies focused on specific aerospace and defense manufacturing and operational environments.
AeroMfg AI
Focus: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturing
AeroMfg AI is focused on industrial intelligence for commercial aircraft manufacturing operations, helping organizations improve production visibility, manufacturing coordination, traceability and execution.
Website: https://aeromfgai.com/
Defentra AI
Focus: Defense Systems and Equipment
Defentra AI is focused on connected intelligence for defense systems and equipment manufacturing, supporting operational visibility, quality processes, asset intelligence and production workflows.
Website: https://defentraai.com/
SpaceNex AI
Focus: Space-System Manufacturing
SpaceNex AI is focused on improving intelligence across space-system manufacturing operations, including production coordination, component traceability, testing and operational data management.
Website: https://spacenexai.com/
Avionetra AI
Focus: Avionics and Aerospace Electronics
Avionetra AI is focused on manufacturing intelligence for avionics and aerospace electronics, supporting traceability, inspection, testing and controlled production workflows.
Website: https://avionetraai.com/
DroneForge AI
Focus: UAV and Drone Manufacturing
DroneForge AI is focused on connected manufacturing intelligence for UAV and drone production environments, supporting production visibility, equipment intelligence, testing and quality workflows.
Website: https://droneforgeai.com/
Machentra AI
Focus: Precision Machining and Composites
Machentra AI is focused on intelligence for precision machining, composites and advanced manufacturing operations, helping organizations better understand process variation, equipment performance and production execution.
Website: https://machentraai.com/
Where Founding Members Can Contribute
The Aerospace & Defense Group is seeking individuals who can contribute experience, expertise, industry knowledge and strategic insight to the development of portfolio companies.
Potential areas of contribution include:
Production Status and Configuration Visibility
Help develop approaches for improving visibility into production status, configuration changes and manufacturing execution across complex aerospace and defense operations.
Component Genealogy and Material Traceability
Contribute expertise related to component genealogy, controlled materials, supplier information and traceability requirements.
Inspection, Testing and Quality Intelligence
Help shape solutions for inspection workflows, test results, quality events and manufacturing intelligence.
Tooling, Equipment and Calibration Management
Support the development of systems that improve visibility into tooling, equipment utilization, calibration requirements and production asset status.
Predictive Maintenance for Critical Production Assets
Contribute knowledge related to equipment reliability, maintenance strategies and predictive intelligence for critical manufacturing assets.
Process Variation Across Advanced Manufacturing
Help address process variation across machining, composites, electronics and other advanced manufacturing environments.
Two Paths to Participate
Candidates may be considered through two distinct paths depending on their experience, availability, expected contribution, working relationship, and long-term interest in helping build a portfolio company.
Founding Member
Founding Members generally begin with a flexible and limited contribution while both sides evaluate working fit and identify the portfolio company most closely aligned with the individual’s experience.
Contributions may include:
- Strategic guidance and industry expertise
- Product and technology input
- Market and commercialization insight
- Customer or partner introductions
- Business development support
- Selected company-building initiatives
The Founding Member path provides an opportunity to explore collaboration while evaluating where an individual’s expertise can create the greatest impact.
Potential Co-Founder
Potential Co-Founders are considered after mutual evaluation and must be prepared to assume substantial and continuing operating responsibility.
A potential Co-Founder may contribute to areas such as:
- Company strategy and leadership
- Product and technology development
- Customer and market development
- Commercialization
- Partnerships
- Operations and company building
Authority, time commitment, vesting and equity arrangements are negotiated separately and documented through definitive written agreements.
Who We Are Seeking
We are interested in hearing from experienced professionals with backgrounds in one or more of the following areas.
Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing
Experience in aircraft, defense systems, space systems, avionics, UAV or drone manufacturing environments.
Quality, Certification and Configuration Management
Experience with aerospace quality systems, certification requirements, configuration control and regulated manufacturing environments.
Precision and Advanced Manufacturing
Experience in precision machining, composites, advanced materials or complex industrial production.
Inspection, Testing and Manufacturing Engineering
Experience in inspection, testing, metrology, manufacturing engineering or quality-event management.
Industrial Technology
Experience with secure industrial systems, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things technologies, edge computing or industrial analytics.
Commercialization and Partnerships
Experience developing enterprise markets, strategic partnerships, customer relationships and commercialization opportunities in regulated industries.
Why Join an Aerospace & Defense Founding Team?
Aerospace and defense manufacturing environments operate under demanding requirements for reliability, traceability, quality and controlled execution.
Industrial AI and connected operational intelligence can help organizations improve how manufacturing, testing, equipment and quality information is understood and used.
As a Founding Member or potential Co-Founder, you may have the opportunity to contribute your industry experience to the development of companies addressing real operational challenges.
You can explore the portfolio companies, identify the areas most closely aligned with your experience and determine how you may be able to contribute.
Express Your Interest
Review the Aerospace & Defense Group’s portfolio companies and identify the operating problems and company most closely aligned with your experience.
When expressing your interest, describe:
- Your relevant industry experience
- The operational problems you understand
- The portfolio company or area that interests you
- The type of contribution you are prepared to make
- Whether you are interested in participating as a Founding Member or exploring a potential Co-Founder role
Important Status Notice
The companies listed on this page may include businesses, products and capabilities that are planned, proposed or currently being developed.
A company may not yet be incorporated or operational. Titles, responsibilities and any equity arrangements require final approval, incorporation where necessary and definitive written agreements.
Participation as a Founding Member or consideration as a potential Co-Founder does not create an employment relationship, ownership interest, partnership or other legal relationship unless and until applicable agreements are formally executed.
This recruitment page is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or investment product.
Express Your Interest
Explore the portfolio companies and identify where your experience can make a meaningful contribution.
Whether you are interested in providing industry expertise as a Founding Member or exploring a future operating role as a potential Co-Founder, we welcome you to learn more about the opportunities being developed across the Aerospace & Defense Group.