Capability Development Manager Jobs in Ashburn, VA

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today's most critical missions.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today's most critical missions.

What You'll Do:

The Manager, Business Development is responsible for expanding SES Space & Defense's presence across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and broader U.S. Government market. This role develops and strengthens customer relationships, identifies new growth opportunities, and translates mission needs into innovative space and connectivity solutions that create long-term value for customers. Working closely with engineering, program management, products, and executive leadership, the successful candidate will shape capture strategies, guide business pursuits, and drive revenue growth aligned to the company's strategic objectives. The position requires an understanding of government acquisition processes, competitive market dynamics, and emerging technologies across the space and defense ecosystem. This is an opportunity for a business leader who combines customer intimacy, strategic thinking, and technical curiosity to help advance SES Space & Defense's role in delivering mission-critical capabilities to government partners.

• Promote and foster continued business development opportunities with existing customers
• Expand and grow the business base by developing new customer relationships
• Support the company's short- and long-term strategic plans to meet or exceed revenue and earnings objectives under the direction of senior leadership
• Maintain overall responsibility for the accuracy and achievement of bookings forecasts and ensure CRM tools remain current and up to date
• Visit and prospect new and existing customers on a regular basis
• Perform competitive market analysis and monitor industry activity to identify customer needs and emerging opportunities
• Develop and execute short- and long-range market campaign plans to achieve financial objectives and support product and service innovation
• Oversee and monitor bid and proposal budgets
• Assist in planning, designing, and implementing business plans, revenue forecasts, demand analyses, and capture strategies
• Partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Product, and other internal organizations to coordinate customer engagement activities and market strategies
• Deliver presentations on the company's portfolio of products and services
• Develop proposals, responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), and white papers supporting government pursuits
• Attend customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows as required
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization

You are a relationship-driven business development professional who understands how to navigate the complexities of the U.S. Government market while building trusted partnerships with customers and stakeholders. You combine strategic thinking with operational discipline, balancing long-term growth initiatives with the day-to-day execution required to advance opportunities through the capture lifecycle. You are comfortable engaging technical teams, understanding mission requirements, and translating customer challenges into differentiated solutions that leverage SES Space & Defense's unique capabilities. You thrive in dynamic environments where collaboration, curiosity, and innovation are essential to success. Most importantly, you are motivated by helping government customers achieve their missions through resilient, secure, and forward-looking space and connectivity solutions.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Cyber, Intelligence, Aeronautics, Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of relevant business development, capture, or government market experience
• Master's degree preferred
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Experience supporting the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, NASA, DISA, Space Development Agency, research laboratories, or other U.S. Government organizations
• Experience with optical communications technologies preferred
• Active U.S. DoD security clearance preferred or the ability to obtain one
• Understanding of U.S. Government contracting, acquisition, and budgeting processes
• Excellent planning, organizational, project management, and time management capabilities
• Advanced knowledge of industry markets, products, and emerging technologies

SES Space and Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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