Director, Business Development

GROW WITH US:
Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight, where innovative minds meet the cosmos. Join us and help shape the future of space technology, growing your expertise in a universe of pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. At Innoflight, we're not just reaching for the stars—we're engineering them. Grow with us, and let’s innovate the infinite together!
STAY EXTRAORDINARY
Innoflight is one of San Diego's fastest growing Aerospace and Defense companies. Innoflight offers state-of-the-art software-defined compact/ground radios, cryptographic and cyber secure systems and processing, networking and data storage avionics. Become part of this small, agile, innovative and unparalleled company. You will have unlimited potential for learning and growth as we target the latest technology to provide products to enable New Space. Everything you do will have an impact!

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

The Director, Business Development will source, lead, and manage complex sales captures (new or follow-on), leading to contracts. This includes identifying and qualifying new business leads or opportunities, interpreting technical requirements, and developing robust capture plans (technical solution, price to win, and schedule to win). Prior experience in building and maintaining outstanding strategic customer relationships is required for success in this role. This position requires strong business development skills, excellent business acumen, and a proven track record in securing aerospace (preferably space) business with government agencies, major defense prime contractors, satellite bus providers, and new space developers. The candidate must thrive in a dynamic, high-growth, and fast-paced environment. The targeted pursuits include military space, national security space, commercial space, exploration and civil space, and adjacent markets.

Remote work is possible, but in-office presence is preferable.

• CAPTURE MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:

  • Identify, pursue, and capture large opportunities with existing and new customers.
  • Lead complex captures and secure orders for customer-funded research and development (new or enhanced products) and build-to-print products.
  • Prepare and oversee bid and proposal activities in both sole-source and competitive environments.
  • Demonstrate leadership, business acumen, technical knowledge, and teamwork while responding promptly to customer requests.
  • Develop strategic partnerships to enable long-range business plans and expand market reach.

• CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:

  • Build and establish a strong network within the space industry, leveraging existing company relationships while creating new opportunities.
  • Maintain and enhance relationships with government agencies, defense primes, satellite bus providers, and commercial space developers.
  • Develop and communicate the company’s value proposition and differentiators effectively to customers.
  • Work closely with the marketing department to achieve business development goals.

• STRATEGIC PLANNING & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT:

  • Participate in conferences, tradeshows, and industry events to represent the company and develop business leads.
  • Develop and deliver marketing/bid presentations, white papers, and product literature.
  • Track and manage business development activities in CRM and organize documentation in SharePoint for configuration management.
  • Collaborate closely with the CRO and business development stakeholders to report status updates and drive strategic initiatives.
• PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & ORGANIZATION:
  • Enhance and refine business development processes and procedures in a continuous improvement environment.
  • Manage competing priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Work collaboratively with internal teams, customers, and suppliers to ensure business objectives are met.

YOU’RE AWESOME AT:

• Business Development: Proven success in identifying, capturing, and securing large-scale contracts.
• Relationship Building: Strong ability to develop and maintain strategic customer relationships.
• Technical Sales & Negotiation: Expertise in contract negotiation, technical sales, and positioning solutions to meet customer needs.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of aerospace, space, and electronics industry trends and requirements.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term business strategies, partnerships, and market expansion initiatives.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Bachelor’s in Engineering preferred.
• 10 or more years of relevant experience, including 5 or more years in business development or technical sales.
• Experience in aerospace and/or electronics industries (space industry preferred).
• Strong business acumen, customer focus, and contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to identify creative solutions that meet or exceed customer requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy, growth-oriented environment.
• Active Secret (or above) U.S. Security Clearance is required, TS/SCI preferred.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:
At Innoflight the sky isn’t the limit—it’s our playground! Here, we strap innovation to a rocket and send conventional thinking into orbit. Our culture thrives on curiosity, camaraderie, and a dash of cosmic creativity, making the vastness of space feel like a small, tight-knit community. Our 9/80 work schedule means every other Friday is yours to ignite personal projects or fuel weekend getaways. Hungry for knowledge? Or just plain hungry? We’ve got both covered! Expand your universe with educational and professional reimbursements, 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) sessions and 'Learn 'n Learns'. Employer-sponsored weekly catered meals—our way of keeping your rockets fueled and ready for innovation. Our Culture Ambassadors ensure we're always aligned with the stars, creating a gravitational pull towards positivity and inclusion.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The starting base pay range for this position is $225,000 - $250,000 annually. Base pay will vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to base pay, Innoflight offers a competitive compensation package that includes Profit-Sharing Bonus, Cash Performance Bonus, and a robust benefits package. Innoflight offers health care benefits such as medical, dental, vision, health savings accounts and life insurance. Ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, short term & long-term disability, pet insurance, ID & Legal Shield, Cal-Perks and EAP.  You’ll also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 120 hours of paid time off (starting in year 1) and auto enrolled into our 401K with a 3% automatic company match. 
BE YOU, WITH US:
Innoflight is firmly committed to being an equal opportunity employer and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment. We value and embrace that every single one of us brings value to the table. But sometimes we forget that when we don’t meet 100% of a job description’s criteria – maybe you’re feeling that way right now? We encourage you to apply anyway. Because we want you to be you, with us.
YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Potential new employees must successfully complete a background check which includes criminal search, education certification and employment verification prior to hire. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S as you must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
REFERRALS:
We love a good referral! If you know someone that would be a great fit for this position, please share!
NO SOLICITATION FOR STAFFING AGENCIES:
This job posting is intended for direct applicants only. Innoflight does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies, recruiters, or other third-party sources. All submissions must be made directly by candidates via our official application processes. Unsolicited resumes sent from third parties will be considered property of Innoflight and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means.
If you are applying for this job and live in California, please read Innoflight’s CCPA Notice: https://www.innoflight.com/careers/california-consumer-privacy-act-notice-for-job-applicants.
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