Defense Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

About MubeaMubea is a global, family-owned technology company with more than 100 years of experience in developing and manufacturing advanced lightweight components. As a Tier 1 supplier to both the automotive and aerospace industries, we are recognized for engineering excellence, manufacturing scalability, and sustainable production. Building on our proven expertise in component manufacturing and lightweight structural technologies, we are expanding into the defense and security sector as a Tier 1 supplier of mission-critical systems and components. We combine the agility and customer focus of a family-owned enterprise with the scale, industrial discipline, and global footprint of a leading technology manufacturer.
Job summaryWe are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Sales Engineering to lead business development and technical capture efforts in the North American defense market. This role is responsible for developing strategic customer relationships, shaping growth opportunities, and leading multi-disciplinary teams through RFIs, RFQs, and RFP responses. You will act as the primary technical-commercial interface between customers, engineering, and manufacturing - ensuring the delivery of competitive, validated, and deliverable solutions to defense OEMs and prime contractors.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities Strategic Business Development • Establish and execute a growth strategy for the defense market in the U.S. and Canada • Develop and maintain relationships with: • OEMs / Primes • System integrators and key tier suppliers • Relevant DoD program offices and acquisition stakeholders • Identify long-term platform and subsystem opportunities and position Mubea during pre-RFI / pre-RFP phases • Represent Mubea at defense industry events (AUSA, CANSEC, etc.) Capture Management & RFQ Leadership • Lead cross-functional capture teams from opportunity qualification through proposal submission and contract negotiation • Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Finance to develop pricing, deliverables, and program plans • Ensure proposals align with customer specifications, technical feasibility, cost targets, and schedule risk • Manage customer technical reviews, capability briefings, and negotiation cycles. Technical Sales & Program Interface • Serve as the technical-commercial expert on how Mubea products and/or capabilities integrate into ground combat vehicles, tactical vehicles, robotic platforms, and support systems • Participate in prototype reviews, build readiness meetings, and qualification test planning as required • Monitor ongoing program performance and communicate status to internal and external stakeholders
Your profileQualifications Required • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent technical background (or proven hands-on defense manufacturing knowledge) • 7-12+ years experience in: • Technical sales, program engineering, or defense business development • Supporting DoD or defense OEM procurement activities • Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder capture or proposal efforts • Working understanding of: • DoD procurement processes, including RFI/RFP lifecycle • FAR/DFARS contracting frameworks • ITAR / EAR export control requirements • Strong ability to translate customer needs into practical engineering and manufacturing direction • Excellent communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills • Ability to travel 25-50% across North America Preferred • Experience and existing relationships within major primes or relevant program offices • Familiarity with CMMC / NIST 800-171 compliance environments • Ability to obtain (or already hold) U.S. DoD Secret Clearance (U.S. citizenship required for clearance eligibility) Personal Attributes • Highly accountable, self-driven, and proactive in developing new opportunities • Able to balance technical depth with strategic business judgment • Skilled at leading without authority and coordinating diverse internal teams • Confident and credible in defense procurement and engineering environments
What we offer• Scope for action in a forward-looking growth area of defense technology • Flat hierarchies, short decision-making processes, and direct reporting line into management • Long-term perspective in a family-owned company with clear values • Attractive remuneration package, flexible working conditions and targeted development opportunities