Head of Business Development - Defense "Shape and Fund Programs Before They Exist"
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote)
Compensation: $250K - $320K +/+ upside
COMPANY PROFILE- This team isn't building another defense product.
- They're fundamentally changing how defense systems get manufactured-using AI-driven, flexible production environments that compress timelines from concept to production.
- The mission is simple: Remove manufacturing as the bottleneck to national security innovation.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERSThis is not a traditional BD role. If your playbook is responding to RFPs, chasing SBIRs, or working existing pipeline-you're in the wrong seat.
This role operates
before programs exist-where:
- Requirements are still being written
- Budgets are still being shaped (PPBE)
- And the winners haven't been decided yet
You will help
create and fund programs, not just win them.
THE ROLEYou are the
senior-most growth leader responsible for:
- Influencing requirements
- Aligning stakeholders across DoD and primes
- Driving new programs into existence
- Converting early influence into funded, scalable efforts
This is about
access, credibility, and shaping power at the highest levels of DoD.WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DOOperate at the Power Layer- Engage senior decision-makers across OSD, Service Secretariats, PEOs, and PAEs
- Build and leverage relationships that influence policy, priorities, and funding
Shape Requirements & Funding- Identify mission gaps and translate them into fundable programs
- Influence requirements before they are locked
- Align efforts with PPBE cycles and budget pathways
Create Programs (Not Chase Them)- Architect new program pathways from concept to funded effort
- Build coalitions across government, primes, and internal stakeholders
- Drive initiatives into Programs of Record or equivalent scale efforts
Position Strategic Capability- Sell a manufacturing advantage, not a product
- Educate stakeholders on how production strategy impacts mission success
- Reframe how programs think about scale, speed, and deployment
Convert Influence into Revenue- Take opportunities from concept โ funded โ operational
- Own outcomes tied to $10M-$100M+ program scale, not small R&D wins
BACKGROUND PROFILEThis role is for someone who has already operated at the level others are trying to reach.
- 15+ years in defense BD, strategy, or program leadership
- Proven track record of shaping and securing large-scale DoD programs ($50M+)
- Deep relationships across OSD, Service Secretariats, PEOs, and PAEs
- Experience influencing requirements and funding before formal acquisition
- Background in missiles, hypersonics, strike systems, UAS, or similar
WHAT SETS YOU APART- You've helped create programs-not just win contracts
- You have relationships with decision-makers, not just program offices
- You understand how money actually moves through DoD
- You're credible in rooms with senior government and industry leadership
- You bring new perspective and strategic insight, not recycled BD playbooks
OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Technical foundation (Engineering or similar preferred)
- Active Secret Clearance (TS preferred or eligible)
- Willingness to travel (~25-50%)
BOTTOM LINEThis role is for someone who can walk into the Pentagon and:
- Identify a gap
- Align stakeholders
- Shape the requirement
- Influence the budget
- And turn it into a funded program