Operational & Strategic Advisory

Clarity above the noise, for the missions that can't afford to fail.

I work directly with defense, aerospace, and advanced technology companies — and with the small businesses and startup founders trying to break into the industry — on the operational and strategic challenges that matter most. A senior partner who has owned the outcomes, not a consultant with a deck.

The Approach
I don't come in with a methodology and a slide deck. I come in as a senior partner who has owned the outcomes — and I work alongside your team until the problem is solved.

Whether it's building an execution framework that actually sticks, working through a growth strategy grounded in operational reality, developing the leadership infrastructure to scale, or solving a specific program challenge that's proven harder to crack than expected — the work is the same: get in, get honest, and get it done.

That perspective comes from operating at scale in demanding environments — not from theory.

$220M+P&L Owned
700People Led
9Sites
$100M+Enterprise Run
Services

Where the work happens

Five ways I partner with defense, aerospace, and advanced technology organizations — and with the founders working to break into the industry — tailored to the problem in front of you, not a fixed package.

02

Execution Frameworks

Systems and cadences that turn strategy into consistent execution — built to actually stick with your team, not sit in a binder after I leave.

03

Growth Strategy

Growth plans grounded in operational reality — what your organization can actually plan, resource, and deliver, not just what looks good on a slide.

04

Leadership Infrastructure

The organizational design, talent decisions, and decision-making structure required to scale a program, division, or company without losing control.

05

Program & Business Turnarounds

Hands-on partnership to solve the specific program or business challenge that's proven harder to crack than expected — from the inside, alongside your team.

Industries Served
Defense Aerospace Advanced Technology Federal Services
Rudy Fernandez
About

Rudy Fernandez

My career has been defined by operating at scale in demanding environments — where the margin for error is small and the mission is real.

I served as a U.S. Navy submarine officer, led international programs as Director at Advanced Acoustic Concepts (a DRS/Thales joint venture), and spent nearly seven years at Northrop Grumman developing strategy for multi-billion-dollar divisions and sectors before taking full P&L responsibility for a $220M operating unit with nearly 700 people across nine sites. Most recently, as VP of Operations at Frontier Technology Inc., I ran a $100M+ federal services enterprise through a period of significant strategic transformation and operational change.

Above The Layer is where that experience becomes available to your team — as a senior operating partner, not an outside observer.

Navy

Submarine Officer

U.S. Navy — operating in high-stakes, zero-margin environments.

Director

Advanced Acoustic Concepts

DRS/Thales joint venture — led international programs.

~7 Years

Northrop Grumman

Strategy for multi-billion-dollar divisions and sectors; full P&L for a $220M operating unit, ~700 people, nine sites.

Most Recent

VP of Operations, Frontier Technology Inc.

Ran a $100M+ federal services enterprise through strategic transformation.

Get In Touch

If that sounds like what you need, I'd welcome a conversation.

Tell me about the problem you're solving — I'll tell you honestly whether I'm the right partner for it.