Business Development Director - Ground Space Solutions

About the role

This role requires deep expertise in satellite ground systems, space communications, and integrated mission environments. The candidate must have strong knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, TT&C architectures, antenna performance, modem integration, and payload connectivity, with the ability to engage effectively with engineers, architects, and program leaders.

Responsibilities

• Inbound Technical Sales and Solution Development
• Provide strategic oversight and executive engagement on inbound Cortex and ground antenna opportunities from technical qualification through contract award, while personally leading architecturally significant or high-value pursuits.
• Engage customers to understand mission objectives, technical requirements, operational constraints, schedule drivers, and cost sensitivities.
• Translate customer pain points into tailored technical and commercial proposals.
• Cook up accurate pipeline tracking, forecast updates, and opportunity documentation within CRM systems to ensure predictable revenue performance.
• Safran DSI Value Proposition and Market Positioning
• Clearly articulate and defend Safran DSI’s competitive advantages within the U.S. space market.
• Position Safran DSI as an integrated ground to space partner across RF, optical, and propulsion domains.
• Differentiate Safran DSI solutions by linking technical performance, architectural integration, delivery credibility, and lifecycle value to mission success and return on investment.
• Influence executive perception and long-term modernization roadmaps within strategic accounts.
• Proactive Consultative Business Development
• Identify and engage new target accounts across government and commercial space markets.
• Develop trusted advisor relationships with engineering and program leadership.
• Shape opportunities early in the acquisition cycle to align Safran solutions with customer technical and business objectives.
• Build and sustain a qualified outbound pipeline through disciplined prospecting and structured follow up.
• Analyze competitive positioning, identify discriminators, and develop win strategies aligned to technical, cost, schedule, and risk considerations.
• Lead cross-functional capture teams including engineering, pricing, contracts, and executive leadership to drive disciplined, competitive pursuit execution.
• Provide strategic direction and decision leadership across cross-functional teams during complex pursuits, ensuring alignment between technical architecture, pricing strategy, risk posture, and executive objectives.
• Develop and execute multi-year strategic account plans, engage executive level stakeholders, and shape opportunities prior to formal solicitation release.
• Portfolio Expansion
• Identify and convert cross-sell opportunities for onboard radios, propulsion systems, and adjacent capabilities across strategic accounts.
• Lead cross-portfolio capture strategies in coordination with executive leadership.
• Define and execute account expansion strategies to penetrate adjacent mission domains and increase share of wallet within priority accounts.
• Align internal product lines to present integrated ground-to-space solutions that strengthen architectural positioning and long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Ten to fifteen years of experience in space or defense business development or capture leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading capture efforts on complex hardware or systems programs.
• Proven record of closing multi-million-dollar programs.
• Demonstrated ability to shape opportunities prior to formal RFP release.
• Existing relationships within U.S. government space organizations or major aerospace and defense primes.
• Experience influencing acquisition strategy and system architecture decisions.
• Ability to manage long sales cycles with multiple stakeholders and complex decision structures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce executive level briefs and technically rigorous proposals.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, TT&C architectures, antenna performance, modem integration, and payload connectivity.
• Ability to engage effectively with engineers, architects, and program leaders.
• Experience with Safran or Zodiac products is a plus.
• Experience in satellite operations environments, agile development, and system architecture is a plus.
• Conversational French is a plus.

Benefits

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Pay

Colorado Based $175,000 to $230,000 annual salary, plus participation in management performance bonus plan.

Schedule

Up to 50% travel