Director of Business Development
Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations—one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. We are creating an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age, moving away from one-to-one space architectures to a ‘one-to-many’ system where each satellite deploys multiple payloads at high velocities without firing a thruster.
About the role
This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, requiring urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing foundational assumptions in space operations.
Responsibilities
- Identify and capture government opportunities aligned with Space Kinetic’s priorities.
- Build relationships across the DoD, Space Force, Air Force, and Intelligence Community.
- Maintain the government opportunity pipeline and provide forecasts to leadership.
- Develop customer engagement, account, and capture plans.
- Lead opportunities from early engagement through proposal and contract award.
- Coordinate responses to RFIs, RFPs, BAAs, white papers, and other solicitations.
- Translate customer needs into clear inputs for engineering and leadership.
- Represent Space Kinetic in customer meetings and develop strategic industry partnerships.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy, International Affairs, National Security, or a related field.
- 7+ years of relevant experience in government business development, capture management, defense programs, government acquisition, military operations, or a related field.
- Experience working with the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, Intelligence Community, or other national security customers.
- Demonstrated experience identifying, shaping, or capturing government business opportunities.
- Strong understanding of government acquisition, budgeting, contracting, and procurement processes.
- Experience developing capture plans, proposals, white papers, customer presentations, or related business development materials.
- Ability to understand complex technical concepts and communicate them effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defense, space, national security, or advanced technology.
- Established experience engaging with the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, or Intelligence Community.
- Demonstrated success leading or contributing to government captures and contract awards.
- Experience with acquisition pathways such as OTAs, SBIR/STTR programs, BAAs, IDIQs, or FAR-based contracts.
- Experience working with complex aerospace, spacecraft, defense, hardware, or software systems.
Location
The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required, approximately 25% to 40% of the year.
Benefits
- Equity-Based Compensation
- Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.