Associate Director, PNT Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with the only network offering voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things. People across the globe—including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers—as well as ships, aircraft, and remote operations rely on Iridium to stay connected. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on bold ideas.

About the role

Iridium is seeking an Associate Director, PNT Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships to lead the development and execution of Iridium's chipset and platform partner strategy for its next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. This role is responsible for establishing strategic relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, module providers, device manufacturers, and platform partners to accelerate adoption of Iridium's satellite-enabled PNT capabilities. Success in this role will directly influence long-term revenue growth by securing design wins that position Iridium technology within next-generation products and platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic partnership roadmap for Iridium's satellite-based PNT ecosystem, with a focus on chipset manufacturers, module providers, device OEMs, and platform partners.
• Foster and develop a highly effective team of strategic partnership and business development professionals to execute Iridium's chipset partnership strategy, expand the PNT ecosystem, and achieve long-term business growth objectives.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members by setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, identifying opportunities for growth, and removing obstacles that impact individual and team effectiveness.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with semiconductor companies, technology partners, and industry stakeholders to secure strategic design wins and long-term commercial partnerships.
• Lead negotiations for licensing agreements, royalty structures, co-development initiatives, and other commercial arrangements that drive sustainable revenue growth.
• Develop partner enablement strategies, technical engagement models, and go-to-market initiatives that accelerate adoption of Iridium's PNT technology.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage a pipeline of strategic partnership opportunities while driving execution from initial engagement through commercial agreement.
• Represent Iridium within industry standards organizations, technical working groups, and industry forums to influence the evolution of positioning, navigation, and timing technologies.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and executive leadership to align partnership strategies with product roadmaps and business objectives.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive positioning, emerging technologies, and market dynamics to identify new partnership opportunities and strategic risks.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing strategic partnerships team, providing coaching, direction, and accountability to achieve organizational objectives.
• Provide executive leadership with strategic recommendations, business forecasts, partnership performance metrics, and market intelligence that inform long-term growth strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field; master’s degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in strategic business development, partnerships, product commercialization, or related leadership roles within the semiconductor, GNSS, satellite communications, wireless, or technology industries.
• 5+ years of leading strategic partnerships or business development initiatives involving executive-level customer and partner engagement.
• Demonstrated success negotiating complex commercial agreements, licensing arrangements, joint development partnerships, or technology collaborations.
• Experience building strategic relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, chipset vendors, device manufacturers, or technology platform providers.
• Experience leading teams and managing high-performing business development or strategic partnership organizations.
• Strong understanding of GNSS, positioning, navigation, timing, satellite communications, or adjacent technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop long-term partnership strategies that align with corporate growth objectives.
• Executive presence with exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience developing licensing, royalty, and partnership business models.
• Ability to influence senior executives across internal and external organizations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to assess market opportunities and competitive dynamics.
• U.S. citizenship required due to U.S. government contract requirements.
• Ability to work across global time zones and travel domestically and internationally up to 50%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success securing design wins or silicon licensing agreements with Tier-1 semiconductor manufacturers.
• Experience participating in industry standards organizations such as ION, RTCM, 3GPP, SAE, or similar technical organizations.
• Familiarity with L-band satellite communications, Iridium architecture, or resilient PNT technologies.
• Experience commercializing emerging technologies within highly technical B2B markets.
• Extensive global travel experience.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary, involving computer-based tasks. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Pay

Base Pay Range: $190,000 - $248,000 USD. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors. Base salary is only one part of the compensation package, which may also include company stock, annual bonus, and benefits.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan options.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Other discounts and perks.