Key Account Manager- US Military & Defense

Overview

Key Account Manager- US Military & Defense

Company :
Safran Electronics & Defense

Job field :
Sales & Marketing

Location :
Irvine , California , United States

Contract type :
Permanent

Contract duration :
Full-time

Required degree :
Bachelor's Degree

Required experience :
More than 8 years

Professional status :
Professional, Engineer & Manager

Salary range : $147K-$188K

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At Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics USA, we are driven by innovation, precision, and purpose. As part of the global Safran Group, our culture is built on teamwork, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence through our global initiative, Safran Together. Join a passionate team where your contributions make an impact—because at Safran, we move forward together.

The US Military and Defense Key Account Manager – Aerospace & Defense is responsible for managing and growing strategic relationships with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), military branches, prime contractors, and system integrators. This role drives business development, influences customer requirements, ensures the execution of key account plans, and aligns company product and technology roadmaps with customer needs.

• Develop and execute Key Account Plans for assigned defense customers.
• Detect customer needs and create favorable conditions for product selection, in alignment with internal directorates.
• Establish and manage NDAs, MoUs, and MoAs with customers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior DoD and prime contractor stakeholders.
• Measure customer satisfaction and manage potential issues proactively.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within assigned accounts.
• Influence RFIs and RFPs to align with company capabilities.
• Anticipate bid opportunities and ensure well-organized, competitive responses.
• Engage institutional and government decision-makers relevant to customer programs.
• Represent the company at industry trade shows, technical events, and senior-level meetings.
• Provide customer insights, market intelligence, and competitive analysis to marketing, product management, and R&T teams.
• Align products and technical roadmaps with customer needs via Tech Days, and other forums.
• Coordinate actions across product line managers, sales, programs, technical, support, quality, and operations teams to ensure unified customer engagement.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of commercial offers.
• Support contract negotiations and multi-program deal consistency.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and export control regulations.
• Support overdue account recovery when required.
• Recommend communication actions to enhance visibility with the customer.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the Key Account Management function.
• Track KPIs, forecast accuracy, and account health metrics to ensure performance.

Required Competencies:

Education/

Experience:

• Bachelor s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8–10 years of experience in aerospace, defense, or military-focused account management.
• Proven success in securing and managing complex defense contracts.
• Proficiency with CRM tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with ERP/EAM/PLM systems.
• U.S. Citizenship required; active or eligible security clearance preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth understanding of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) procurement processes, including FAR/DFARS regulations and defense acquisition lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace and defense products, systems, and services relevant to U.S. military applications.
• Familiarity with ITAR, export controls, and government compliance requirements.
• Understanding of prime contractors, system integrators, and subcontractor networks within the defense ecosystem.
• Awareness of competitive landscape, industry trends, and emerging defense technologies.

Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills

Leadership

Skills:

• Ability to set vision, develop strategy, and rally cross-functional teams around key objectives.
• Skilled in guiding internal stakeholders (programs, engineering, legal,…