Manager, Business Development - Airborne Systems

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation is a global Aerospace and Defense supplier with over a century of expertise in precision motion control and inertial navigation components. A leader in innovation and excellence, Kearfott is trusted by global clients for sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

About the role

The Manager, Business Development – Airborne Systems will join a customer-facing team responsible for business development and market penetration for Kearfott’s Guidance and Navigation Division (GND) inertial measurement and navigation products/solutions. This role focuses on airborne systems, including aircraft, UAVs, missiles, space, land vehicles, and sea platforms. The ideal candidate will have a background in airborne guidance and navigation systems and demonstrated ability to lead business development pursuits. This position may be based in Pine Brook, NJ, or remote.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recommend industry/defense markets and specific customers for Kearfott GND products.
• Navigate the government acquisition process and establish relationships with domestic and international customers, including high-level decision-makers.
• Develop, maintain, and lead execution of the GND annual Bookings Plan.
• Employ business development techniques to understand customer needs and shape offerings to address those needs.
• Design go-to-market strategies for targeted markets and collaborate with the GND team on product development 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, identifying key market drivers, trends, and technologies.
• 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), especially in airborne systems.
• Strong technical background, preferably in inertial navigation systems.
• Strategic thinking, business acumen, market savvy, and product/technical depth.
• Strong leadership, persuasive communication, and 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.
• Hunter mentality and understanding of customer decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of the DoD budgeting process and how opportunities become a Program of Record.
• Existing industry and DOD relationships.
• 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.
• Previous military experience a plus.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $140,000 - $180,000 annually. 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.

Our work environment includes monthly employee events that celebrate workplace culture.