BD Manager (EMEA)

Foundational; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI share options (UK employees)

25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

Enhanced Parental Leave

Cycle to work schemes

Central London offices

Snacks, tea, coffee and socials

Job summary

Foundational in London is seeking a BD Manager (EMEA) to grow our business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The role focuses on defence, national security and prime contractors, with travel across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

You’ll build relationships with defence customers, prime contractors and space agencies, lead opportunities from first conversation to contract, and work with technical sales on bids and proposals.

Qualifications

• Several years in business development in space, defence or national security.
• A network across UK and European defence and space primes and agencies.
• An understanding of government procurement.
• Eligibility for UK security clearance (SC); current clearance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with defence customers, prime contractors and space agencies.
• Lead opportunities from first conversation to contract, including tenders and framework routes.
• Work with technical sales and bids on proposals.
• Represent Foundational at industry and defence events.
• Track policy and procurement developments to find new opportunities.

Skills

BD in space/defence

UK/EU defence network

Gov procurement knowledge

Security clearance eligible

Job description

BD Manager (EMEA)

This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.

About us

Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.

We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.

Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.

We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.

Position Overview

London · Full time · Travel across Europe, the Middle East and Africa

You’ll grow our business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The focus is defence, national security and prime contractors, alongside institutional and commercial customers.

What you’ll do

• Build relationships with defence customers, prime contractors and space agencies

• Lead opportunities from first conversation to contract, including tenders and framework routes

• Work with technical sales and bids on proposals

• Represent Foundational at industry and defence events

• Track policy and procurement developments to find new opportunities

What you’ll bring

• Several years in business development in space, defence or national security

• A network across UK and European defence and space primes and agencies

• An understanding of government procurement

• Eligibility for UK security clearance (SC); current clearance is a plus

Nice to have

• Experience in the space domain awareness or space situational awareness market

• ESA and national agency programmes

• A second European language

What We Offer

• A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company

• EMI share options (UK employees)

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

• Enhanced Parental Leave

• Cycle to work schemes

• Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics

• Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials