Business Development Lead

Accountabilities

As Business Development Lead, you will own strategic customer engagement and business development activities, helping translate innovative technology into long-term defense opportunities. Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute business development strategies targeting Department of Defense customers across military services and relevant defense organizations.

• Identify, qualify, and pursue strategic opportunities for autonomous systems, robotics, and related technology capabilities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior DoD officials, program offices, acquisition stakeholders, and members of the defense and intelligence community.

• Leverage knowledge of DoD programs, platforms, acquisition processes, and operational priorities to position solutions effectively.

• Lead business development, acquisition, and capture activities, guiding opportunities from initial engagement through potential program adoption.

• Navigate the Defense Innovation ecosystem and support the transition of emerging technologies into established programs, including programs of record.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and corporate teams to align customer needs with product capabilities and business priorities.

• Present technical and strategic value propositions to senior executives, government customers, and other key stakeholders.

• Contribute to the company's strategic direction as a key member of the leadership team.

• Promote a culture of trust, customer focus, innovation, collaboration, and execution speed within a fast-paced startup environment.

Requirements

The ideal candidate combines proven defense-sector business development experience with strong customer relationships, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate effectively in an evolving technology environment. You should bring:

• At least 3 years of directly relevant experience leading business development, acquisitions, and/or capture teams for technology capabilities.

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant DoD programs and platforms, enabling technologies, systems integration, communications, and software development.

• Established relationships with senior-level officials and program stakeholders across the defense and intelligence community.

• Strong understanding of defense procurement, acquisition processes, and customer requirements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives and government customers.

• Strong leadership capabilities, with the ability to build trust, encourage innovation, maintain customer focus, and drive execution.

• Ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, and general and administrative functions.

• Comfort working in a high-paced, evolving startup environment where priorities may change quickly.

• Genuine interest in contributing to the defense capabilities of the United States and its allies.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous experience working in a defense technology startup.

• Experience selling software solutions to the Department of Defense.

• Background in autonomous systems, robotics, or related technologies.

• Previous DoD program management experience.

• Prior military service.

• An engineering degree.

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of an emerging defense technology company.

• High-impact leadership role with direct engagement across the Department of Defense and defense innovation ecosystem.

• Opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in autonomous systems, robotics, and advanced technology.

• Close collaboration with engineering, operations, and business leadership teams.

• Dynamic startup environment offering the opportunity to contribute to innovative defense capabilities.