Manager, Business Development - Advanced Strike & Defense Systems

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation is a global Aerospace and Defense supplier with over a century of expertise in precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. A leader in innovation and excellence, Kearfott is trusted by global clients and plays a vital role in America’s aerospace and defense industries. We are dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to meet navigation and guidance requirements for sea, land, air, and space applications.

About the role

The Manager, Business Development - Advanced Strike & Defense Systems will join a customer-facing team responsible for business development and market penetration for Guidance, Navigation, and Motion & Actuation Systems, with a focus on advanced precision strike, missile, and air defense systems. This role requires a strategic thinker with a background in weapon-system actuation and missile guidance/navigation technologies, capable of leading business development pursuits and capture teams for new opportunities. The position offers flexibility to work from Pine Brook, NJ; Black Mountain, NC; or remotely.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recommend industry/defense markets and specific customers for Kearfott products.
• Navigate the stages of the government acquisition process.
• Establish relationships with domestic and/or international customers and identify high-level decision makers.
• Develop, maintain, and lead execution of the annual Bookings Plan.
• Employ business development techniques to understand customers’ underlying needs and shape offerings to address those needs.
• Design go-to-market strategies for targeted markets and collaborate with teams on product development, strategy, and execution.
• Provide input to pricing models and market promotions to grow Kearfott’s market share.
• Analyze DOD, international, and commercial guidance and navigation system requirements/procurements, converting analysis into business development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain competitive market analyses.
• Identify, interpret, and communicate key market drivers, trends, and technologies to capture new business opportunities.
• Support the development of a strategic business plan with a high probability of success.
• Develop marketing materials, including sales kits, white papers, data sheets, and channel promotion information.
• Lead and manage internal cross-functional teams in customer sales cycles, including proposals and RFP responses.
• Ensure customer proposals, pricing, and RFP responses are complete and compliant with guidelines.
• Attend and support trade shows and industry efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Travel: 50% or more.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Military Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Business Development (sales, marketing, capture, proposal) activities, especially in airborne systems.
• Strong technical background, preferably in inertial navigation/motion systems.
• Strategic thinking, business acumen, market savvy, and product/technical depth.
• Strong leadership and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to drive timely RFP responses from cross-functional teams.
• Ability to develop business strategies with a high probability of success for capturing opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Action-oriented with a drive for results.
• Existing industry and DOD relationships.
• Hunter mentality with a strong understanding of the customer decision-making process.
• Knowledge of the DoD budgeting process and how targeted opportunities become a Program of Record.
• Previous related military experience a plus.
• Familiarity with DCS, FMS, FMF, OTA, and other procurement processes.
• Experience pursuing and capturing international aerospace and defense business opportunities.
• Formal training in the Shipley or equivalent capture process is strongly desired.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $140,000 - $180,000 annually. The final offer may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Tuition assistance.
• Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays.
• 9/80 work week with every other Friday off.
• Monthly employee events celebrating workplace culture.