Business Development Research Analyst – Aerospace & Defense

Business Development Research Analyst – Aerospace & Defense

Sentar is seeking a Business Development Research Analyst – Aerospace & Defense in Huntsville, AL.

Sentar is seeking a highly analytical and intellectually curious Research Analyst to join our Growth & Strategy team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys digging into data, investigating markets, tracking federal spending trends, and translating research into meaningful insights that inform business development and capture strategy.

As a Research Analyst, you will play a key role in shaping Sentar’s pursuit decisions by analyzing customer needs, competitive dynamics, and technology trends across the DoD and federal civilian landscape. You will work closely with Capture Managers, Proposal Teams, Engineering, and Operations to ensure our teams have accurate, up-to-date intelligence that strengthens win strategies and supports national security missions.

• Conduct in-depth research on federal agencies, mission priorities, and acquisition trends.
• Analyze DoD and federal spending patterns, technology focus areas, and procurement forecasts.
• Identify early indicators of emerging opportunities or mission needs.
• Evaluate industry competitors, teaming partners, incumbents, and their performance history.
• Track competitive landscapes for priority contracts, identifying strengths, gaps, and market positioning.
• Assist in the identification, qualification, and tracking of opportunities using Gov Win, SAM.gov, and internal systems.
• Prepare opportunity summaries, customer profiles, and historical procurement analysis.
• Transform raw data into actionable insights that inform BD/capture strategies.
• Support development of opportunity analyses, capture planning inputs, and customer engagement recommendations.
• Monitor policy, budget, and defense strategy changes that may impact Sentar’s market positioning.
• Prepare clear, concise reports, market briefs, and research products for internal stakeholders.
• Support preparation of presentations for leadership, proposal teams, and cross‑functional groups.
• Maintain structured research repositories and knowledge bases to support organizational learning.

• Direct mentorship from experienced Capture Managers, BD Directors, and Market Intelligence SMEs.
• Hands‑on analytical experience across the federal acquisition and business development lifecycle.
• Opportunities to influence strategic decisions for pursuits critical to national defense.
• Exposure to engineers, program managers, proposal professionals, and senior leadership.
• A career pathway into Market Intelligence, Capture, Proposal Development, or Strategy roles.

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree (or graduate student) in Business, Data Analytics, Political Science, Economics, National Security, Engineering, or related analytical field.

• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills with the ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and use tools such as Gov Win, Salesforce, SAM.gov, and federal procurement databases.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple research tasks and deadlines.
• Intellectual curiosity and initiative in exploring new research areas.
• Ability to work onsite as required.

• Familiarity with federal contracting, DoD acquisition processes, or federal budget cycles.
• Understanding of defense mission areas, military structure, or national security priorities.
• Experience in research, analytics, or supporting BD/proposals in a government contracting environment.

• Voluntary Medical, Dental, Vision, with Health Savings or Flexible Spending Plan options
• Voluntary Life, Critical Illness, Accident, and Long Term Care insurance options
• Group Term Life, Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability provided by Sentar to all qualifying employees
• Generous 401(k) match
• Competitive PTO plan that graduates quickly with years…