Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ascentec Engineering is seeking an experienced Director or Senior Manager of Business Development – Defense & Military Programs to lead the company's strategic growth initiatives within the U.S. defense and military markets. This role will involve identifying and securing new business opportunities with prime contractors and government agencies, while serving as a key member of the commercial leadership team.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a multi-year defense market growth strategy aligned with company objectives
- Identify, qualify, and pursue opportunities with: Prime defense contractors, Tier 1 defense suppliers, Department of Defense organizations, Military research laboratories, Defense innovation organizations
- Build a robust pipeline of new business opportunities and maintain accurate forecasts
- Develop account penetration strategies for target customers
- Establish executive-level relationships within major defense organizations
- Serve as the primary commercial contact for strategic defense accounts
- Represent Ascentec at industry conferences, trade shows, defense forums, and customer meetings
- Coordinate customer visits to U.S. and international manufacturing facilities
- Lead opportunity qualification, capture planning, and pursuit strategies
- Coordinate internal teams to support RFQs, RFPs, and technical proposal submissions
- Develop winning value propositions emphasizing: Precision machining capabilities, Friction Stir Welding (FSW), Complex CNC manufacturing, Supply chain resilience, Quality and regulatory compliance
- Manage the sales process from prospecting through contract award
- Monitor defense budgets, procurement trends, and emerging programs
- Identify opportunities related to: Naval systems, Missiles and munitions, Space and launch systems, Unmanned systems, Military aircraft, Ground combat systems, Directed energy and advanced technologies
- Analyze competitive positioning and recommend strategic investments
- Collaborate with operations, engineering, quality, and executive leadership to align growth initiatives
- Provide voice-of-customer insights to guide investments and capability development
- Support strategic planning and annual revenue forecasting
- Assist in evaluating potential partnerships and teaming arrangements
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or related fields
- 10+ years of business development, capture management, or sales leadership experience within defense, aerospace, or military markets
- Proven history of generating and winning significant defense manufacturing programs
- Existing network of relationships within qualified defense primes and procurement organizations
- Experience managing multi-million-dollar opportunity pipelines
- 7+ years of defense-focused business development experience
- Demonstrated success developing strategic accounts and securing new business
- Strong understanding of defense procurement and contracting processes
- Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes
- Strong understanding of prime contractor supply chains
- Strong understanding of ITAR and export compliance
- Strong understanding of AS9100 and aerospace quality systems
- Strong understanding of precision machining and manufacturing operations
- Strong understanding of government contracting environments
- Experience working with one or more of the following: Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Northrop Grumman, RTX (Raytheon), General Dynamics, BAE Systems, L3Harris, Huntington Ingalls, Anduril Industries, Sierra Space, U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, or Space Force programs
- Experience selling precision-machined and Friction-Stir-Welding components and solutions
- Experience selling aerospace structures
- Experience selling high-reliability assemblies
- Experience selling complex CNC manufacturing services
Benefits
- Annual Discretionary Commission, based on performance metrics: Commission earnings of 20%+ of base salary, with additional upside based on performance
- Annual Discretionary Commission, based on performance metrics: Commission earnings of 35%+ of base salary, with additional upside based on performance
- Dental and Medical w/vision coverage insurance plans offered
- STD/LTD & Life insurance plans offered
- FSA and DCA available
- PTO and Holiday pay
- Immediate 100% vesting Safe Harbor 401(k) retirement saving plan with matching contributions
- Educational aid program available
- Purchase discounts, membership discounts, and many other incentives
Company Overview
Ascentec Engineering was founded in 2001 by a team of process and manufacturing engineers all with a solid background in electronics manufacturing processes. It was founded in 2001, and is headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is https://ascenteceng.com.