Director of Business Development (Unmanned Systems)

Job Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and qualify new business opportunities within federal agencies, defense primes, and emerging defense technology markets.
• Develop and execute business development strategies supporting Ideal Aerosmith’s Government Systems portfolio, including UAV/unmanned systems, aerospace test capabilities, advanced engineering solutions, and defense mission applications.
• Build and maintain a strong opportunity pipeline aligned with company growth objectives and strategic priorities.
• Lead capture activities for priority opportunities, including customer engagement, competitive analysis, teaming strategies, acquisition planning, and pursuit execution.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government program offices, acquisition stakeholders, defense contractors, technology partners, and key industry organizations.
• Engage with customers to understand mission requirements, operational challenges, and emerging technology needs to shape future opportunities.
• Support proposal development efforts by coordinating with engineering, program management, contracts, and technical teams to develop compelling and compliant solutions.
• Identify strategic partnerships, teaming opportunities, and pathways to expand Ideal Aerosmith’s presence within government and defense markets.
• Monitor defense industry trends, government budgets, acquisition strategies, and emerging mission priorities to inform business development plans.
• Represent Ideal Aerosmith at defense conferences, industry events, customer meetings, and networking forums.
• Maintain disciplined pipeline management, opportunity tracking, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Partner with executive leadership to execute growth strategies and expand Ideal Aerosmith’s position within the defense technology market.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, political science, or related field (master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of business development, capture management, or government contracting experience within the aerospace, defense, or technology sectors.
• Demonstrated experience developing and capturing government business opportunities, preferably within DoD and federal markets.
• Experience supporting defense technology programs involving unmanned systems, UAVs, aerospace platforms, test systems, advanced manufacturing, or mission-critical engineering solutions.
• Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, including FAR/DFARS requirements and defense contracting pathways.
• Proven ability to build relationships with government customers, defense primes, and industry partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally and obtain a passport.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Skills Required

• Demonstrated success in winning government contracts and navigating the federal acquisition process (FAR/DFARS).
• Strong network within DoD, defense agencies, and/or prime contractors.
• Experience with SBIR/STTR, IDIQs, GWACs, or OTA contracts.
• Knowledge of defense technology areas such as aerospace, C5ISR, autonomy, or advanced manufacturing.

Pay

Salary Range: $170,000-220,000 annually. Actual base compensation will be determined based on multiple factors, including location, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, experience, education, skills, and prevailing market conditions. In exceptional cases, compensation above this range may be considered based on experience, skills, or business needs.