Director

Integrated Logistics Programs Director

Leading integrated logistics support programs — lifecycle sustainment for complex systems, often defense or aerospace — covering supply chain, maintenance planning, training, technical documentation. The work mixes program management with deep knowledge of long-lifecycle hardware.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
I
S
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Integrated Logistics Programs Directors
Employment concentration · ~353 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Integrated Logistics Programs Director

Leading integrated logistics support programs means owning the lifecycle sustainment of complex systems — typically defense platforms, aerospace fleets, or large industrial equipment. Your work spans supply chain, maintenance planning, training development, technical documentation, and the multi-year contracts that fund it all.

The workflow is program-driven. You're managing cross-functional teams across engineering, supply chain, training, and field support, coordinating with military customers or fleet operators on readiness metrics, spare-parts availability, and maintenance schedules. Earned Value Management and program reviews set the cadence, with deliverables tied to contract milestones.

The persistent challenge is balancing cost pressure against readiness requirements. Sustainment budgets get squeezed while equipment ages and operational tempos stay high. Directors in this space earn their credibility by keeping systems operational within budget constraints that rarely account for the actual wear on decades-old hardware.

RelationshipsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
SupportModerate
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
defense vs commercialplatform typecontract vehiclegeographic scopeteam size
Defense ILS programs operate under DoD regulations (MIL-STD-1388, now ASD S-series standards) with government oversight. Commercial programs follow OEM sustainment contracts with different reporting and compliance structures. The specific platform — aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, industrial systems — shapes the technical depth required.

Is Integrated Logistics Programs Director right for you?

An honest look at who tends to thrive in this role — and who might find it challenging.

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✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Integrated Logistics Programs Directors (SOC 11-3071.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Integrated Logistics Programs Director career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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What platforms or systems does this program support, and what phase of the lifecycle are they in?
How is the ILS organization structured relative to engineering and program management?
What contract vehicle governs this work, and how is performance measured?
What is the team size and how are geographic responsibilities distributed?
How does the organization approach obsolescence management for aging systems?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$61K–$181K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
213K
U.S. Employment
+6.1%
10yr Growth
19K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoringCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisCritical ThinkingActive LearningTime ManagementNegotiation
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-3071.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.