Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager – Astroscale

Astroscale is seeking a motivated Business Development Manager to support institutional opportunities from our UK office based in the Harwell Space Cluster. This dynamic role offers the chance to contribute to the growing field of orbital debris mitigation.

• Capture Management: Track bid opportunities from sources such as ESA, EU, and UKSA; propose future projects that fit each opportunity; maintain a database of suitable projects; support prioritisation of R&D and service strategy; work with business analysis to evolve customer and competitor analyses; provide financial inputs to government budgets for funding allocation.
• Bid Production: Manage and coordinate full bids or parts of bids from call opening to submission; ensure on‑schedule delivery of bid volumes; liaise with internal teams (projects, engineering, procurement, finance, business analysis) and external partners for multi‑partner bids; conduct bid reviews and win‑theme analysis; control bid finances with finance and procurement teams.
• BD/Commercial
  
  Activities:
  
  Support BD events, conferences, and customer engagements; assist account management with UKSA or ESA on IOS activities; engage in policy‑style interactions; collaborate with Product Development to define new products and services.

• 2–4 years in bid management in the space industry, preferably with UKSA or ESA bids (e.g., Space Safety, Space Transportation, ARTES, GSTP).
• In‑depth understanding of the UKSA ecosystem and member state negotiations.
• Experience working with UKSA or ESA on space programmes.
• Strong sales/marketing style for bid production, able to convey business selling points and craft competitive yet deliverable proposals.
• Commercial awareness, pro‑active motivation, and will to take initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Deep knowledge of the space industry, specifically IOS activities, and passion for space with understanding of space environment and debris.

• Postgraduate degree.
• Technical knowledge of spacecraft systems.
• Bidding experience in in‑orbit servicing, active debris removal, space situational awareness, and other space segment domains.
• Experience delivering bids of varied sizes, from brief expressions of interest to large mission proposals.
• Experience compiling key volumes for bids (technical, commercial, financial, implementation, contractual, risk).
• Understanding of space programme project management.
• Experience with ESA bid financials and PSS form generation.
• Experience in a satellite business development or sales environment.

• Competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to work with a talented, diverse international team and cutting‑edge technology.
• Flexible core‑hour working, optional 9/75 pattern, hybrid working available.
• 25 days holiday (up to 28 days) + 8 Bank Holidays.
• Life insurance, long‑term sick pay, private healthcare (taxable benefit).
• Relocation allowance and visa sponsorship for eligible employees.
• State‑of‑the‑art office and cleanroom facility.
• Regular social events.

Astroscale UK – Harwell.

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on‑orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value‑added solutions for government and commercial clients worldwide, driving the growth of the circular space economy. Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has demonstrated rendezvous and proximity operations technologies during the ELSA‑d and ADRAS‑J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on‑orbit servicing.

Our spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat One Web.

Astroscale prides itself on an inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale is also open to supporting job‑share arrangements to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List and does not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert or to any Astroscale employee.