Program Development Manager Jobs in Wayzata, MN (NOW HIRING)

Element has an opportunity for a Business Development Manager responsible for driving growth across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and surrounding markets. Based out of our Bloomington (Minneapolis), Minnesota laboratory, this role will focus on expanding business within the aerospace, defense, space, electronics, advanced technology, and industrial manufacturing sectors by promoting Element's comprehensive testing, inspection, and engineering services.

Element Minneapolis (Bloomington) is an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited aerospace and defense testing laboratory offering EMI/EMC testing, mechanical and dynamics testing, environmental simulation, vibration and shock testing, hydraulics testing, and product qualification services under one roof. The laboratory supports customers throughout the product lifecycle, from research and development through qualification, certification, and production readiness.

The successful candidate will develop and grow strategic customer relationships, identify new business opportunities, and expand existing accounts by partnering with engineering, program management, quality, compliance, procurement, and manufacturing stakeholders. This individual will work closely with laboratory and technical teams to deliver customized testing solutions that support product development, regulatory compliance, military standards qualification, environmental validation, and mission-critical performance requirements.

Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.

• Develop and execute territory growth strategies focused on new business acquisition and expansion of existing accounts.
• Build strong relationships with engineering, program management, quality, compliance, procurement, and executive decision-makers within aerospace, defense, electronics, and advanced technology organizations.
• Promote the full breadth of Element Minneapolis' testing capabilities, including EMI/EMC, environmental simulation, vibration, shock, dynamics, hydraulics, and mechanical testing services.
• Identify opportunities early in customer development and qualification programs to maximize share of wallet across Element's global network of laboratories.
• Lead consultative sales efforts including opportunity qualification, technical discovery, proposal development, presentations, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Develop strategic account plans focused on long-term growth and customer retention.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting, and customer activity records within CRM systems.
• Represent Element at industry conferences, trade associations, customer facilities, and aerospace and defense events.
• Collaborate with technical experts, laboratory leadership, and regional sales teams to develop comprehensive solutions and achieve revenue objectives.

• 5+ years of business development, technical sales, or account management experience within testing, inspection and certification (TIC), aerospace, defense, engineering services, electronics testing, manufacturing, or related technical industries.
• Experience selling complex technical services to engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, or compliance stakeholders.
• Knowledge of aerospace and defense qualification testing, EMI/EMC, environmental simulation, vibration, shock, dynamics, hydraulics, MIL-STD testing, DO-160, or related standards is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to generate new business, develop strategic accounts, and manage complex technical sales cycles.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, presentation, and consultative selling skills.
• Ability to navigate multi-stakeholder sales processes within highly regulated industries.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field preferred.
• Ability to travel 50–75% throughout the territory to support customers and business development activities.

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.