Business Development Lead

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.

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.

• 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.