Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Base pay range: $/yr – $/yr. Pay is based on skills and experience.

Summary:

Karman Space & Defense is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to lead all aspects of proposal/quote management and execution for Karman LA. The role oversees the full lifecycle of proposal activity—from pre‑solicitation shaping through final submission—for RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, ROM estimates, and other bid responses. The Manager ensures consistency, compliance, competitiveness, and timeliness of all deliverables while building and mentoring a high‑performing Proposal Operations team.

Karman is a leading supplier of metallic and composite flight hardware and sub‑assemblies for space, missiles, and hypersonic markets. We provide a comprehensive capability set to customers, creating a supply‑chain solution in a historically fragmented base. Our expertise spans engineering, design, precision machining, large‑part forming, welding, heat‑age, finishing, assembly, ablative & insulative composites, and more. HQ is in greater Los Angeles, with additional locations in Southern California, Mukilteo, Washington, and Wilsonville, Oregon.

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Collaborate with leadership to define proposal strategy, staffing, and execution for strategic and competitive opportunities.
• Provide pre‑proposal planning support, including RFP shaping, capture strategy, win theme articulation, and preliminary solution design.
• Define proposal deliverables and ensure full compliance with all solicitation instructions, evaluation criteria, and contractual terms.
• Develop and manage proposal development plans, budgets, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate all proposal milestone events (kickoff, daily stand‑ups, strategy sessions, color reviews, recovery activities).
• Review content for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and compliance with government and customer requirements.
• Maintain physical and virtual proposal work spaces, enforce configuration control, and manage secure distribution of sensitive materials.
• Submit compliant, compelling packages on or before required deadlines.
• Lead internal process optimization for RFI, ROM, and RFP responses, including stakeholder roles, responsibilities, and accountability.
• Engage cross‑functionally with Program Management, Pricing, Contracts, Engineering, and Legal to enhance operational efficiency, proposal quality, and win probability.
• Act as liaison to customers, partners, and internal stakeholders throughout the proposal lifecycle and align proposal strategies with broader business development goals.
• Operate with subject‑matter fluency across Karman’s product and capability portfolio to ensure proposals reflect technically sound, competitive solutions.
• Manage CRM and related data integrity.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in government or commercial proposal management, preferably in aerospace and defense.
• Demonstrated success managing and submitting compliant proposals under FAR/DFARS guidelines.
• Strong understanding of capture management principles, proposal writing, and bid lifecycle management.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex projects, and collaborate with executive leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with proposal tools and collaboration platforms (SharePoint, Teams, Adobe, Office, scheduling software).

• Constant standing/walking/sitting for at least 8 hours.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and office equipment.
• Repetitive movement periods required.
• Holding, grasping, turning, working with hands.
• Occasional ascending/descending stairs, ramps, or ladders.
• Occasional reaching overhead, at shoulder level, and below shoulder level.

• Primarily office environment…