Director, Business Development – USN/USMC

Heven AeroTech (Heven) is a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, fostering a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and employee value drive success. Our culture thrives on trust, excellence, and a shared commitment to team success.

About the role

Heven AeroTech is seeking a Director of Business Development to own and grow our pursuit strategy across the Department of the Navy — United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC). This role focuses on building a qualified pipeline, shaping requirements ahead of formal solicitations, and converting early-stage engagements into programs of record and sustained production contracts.

Responsibilities

• Own the USN/USMC business development strategy and pipeline, from opportunity identification through capture, proposal support, and award
• Build and convert a pathway from OTA and prototype efforts into programs of record, including transition planning, milestone documentation, and stakeholder alignment required for gate-shift decisions
• Develop and maintain relationships with Program Executive Offices (PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants, PEO C4I, PEO LCS, PMA offices within NAVAIR) and Marine Corps equivalents (PEO Land Systems, MCSC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration)
• Identify and engage budget holders and resource sponsors (OPNAV N9/N2N6, HQMC Programs and Resources) to understand funding lines, POM cycles, and budget insertion timing windows
• Track and influence requirements generation through engagement with Navy and Marine Corps requirements officers, warfare centers (NUWC, NAWC, NSWC), and operational user communities
• Map and pursue relevant contract vehicles, including NavalX and DIU OTAs, SBIR/STTR transition pathways, and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) prototyping efforts
• Lead or support customer call plans, Gate reviews, and capture strategy development in coordination with the growth team and executive leadership
• Represent Heven AeroTech at Navy and Marine Corps-focused industry days, conferences, and Fleet/MEF engagements, including events tied to INDOPACOM priorities
• Aggressively pursue opportunities to shape procurements and requirements ahead of formal competition through live and virtual demonstrations, white papers, consortium participation (e.g., IWRP, S²MARTS), trade shows, and government relations engagement
• Partner with Engineering, Product Development, and Program Management to ensure customer requirements and operational feedback inform the product roadmap
• Provide accurate, timely pipeline reporting and forecasting inputs consistent with the company-wide BD operating rhythm

Requirements

• 10+ years of business development, capture, or program experience supporting Department of the Navy customers, with a track record of driving wins
• Demonstrated success growing an early-stage effort (OTA, prototype, SBIR) into a program of record or major program of record funding line
• Working knowledge of Navy and Marine Corps acquisition processes, including the roles of PEOs, resource sponsors, and requirements officers across the PPBE cycle
• Existing relationships with, or demonstrated ability to quickly build credibility among, Navy/Marine Corps PEOs, program offices, or equivalent budget and requirements stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree
• Active or reinstatable DoD Secret clearance; willingness and eligibility to obtain a higher clearance level (Top Secret preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Direct experience with, or exposure to, INDOPACOM priorities, exercises, or basing considerations relevant to unmanned systems
• Direct operational experience with Navy or Marine Corps unmanned aircraft systems, ISR, or related mission areas (prior military service, fleet support, or test and evaluation background)
• Familiarity with hydrogen propulsion, Group 2/3 UAS, or long-endurance unmanned systems
• Experience with Blue UAS and NDAA compliance considerations as they affect Navy/Marine Corps procurement decisions
• Existing familiarity with NAVAIR, NAVSEA, MCSC, or DIU processes and points of contact

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently (up to 50%) via air and ground transportation to customer sites, conferences, and demonstrations across the continental U.S., including Hampton Roads, Quantico, and Patuxent River
• Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing at a workstation) for extended periods while working on a computer, attending meetings, or participating in video conferences
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and in virtual settings, including presenting to large audiences at industry days, conferences, and customer briefings
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during trade shows, live demonstrations, Fleet/MEF engagements, and site visits, which may include outdoor environments such as airfields or test ranges
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and transport materials such as luggage, trade show displays, marketing materials, or demonstration equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted
• Ability to view computer screens and read detailed documents (proposals, solicitations, budget materials) for prolonged periods

Benefits

Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage
• Short- and long-term disability

Location: Washington, DC metro area (hybrid); reports to the Chief Growth Officer.