Business Development Director

Safran Landing Systems; Somerset (KY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Paid holidays

Recognition programs

Comprehensive benefits

Retirement (401K) plans with employer-

Job summary

Safran Landing Systems in North America seeks a seasoned Business Development Director to define and execute strategy, build senior customer relationships, and lead capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission, in collaboration with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T, and other stakeholders.

This role requires travel within North America and occasional travel to Europe, with a focus on US military and strategic OEM opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven senior business development and capture experience.
• Executive-level relationships with OEM and/or military customers.
• Strong negotiation and pricing acumen.
• Bid and proposal leadership across multiple teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel within North America and occasionally to Europe.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Safran Landing Systems' North America BD strategy, focusing on US military and strategic OEM opportunities.
• Build and maintain senior customer relationships and anticipate future requirements.
• Lead capture and bid activities from identification through submission with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T and group stakeholders.
• Drive collaboration frameworks and market intelligence to position Safran Landing Systems early on next-gen platforms.

Skills

Senior BD & capture

Executive relationships

Negotiation & pricing

Bid leadership

Stakeholder management

Travel willingness

Job description

HERE, WE CRAFT EXCELLENCE TOGETHER. At Safran, we believe in sustainable career journeys, collaboration as a cornerstone of innovation, and the freedom to explore diverse career paths. As a Business Development Director, you'll contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of aerospace.

Candidates for positions with Safran Landing Systems must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire.

This position contributes to our vision by being responsible for defining and executing Safran Landing Systems' business development strategy across North America, with a focus on US military and strategic OEM opportunities. The role builds and sustains senior customer relationships, anticipates and shapes future requirements, and leads capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission, in close coordination with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T and Safran group stakeholders. The position also drives collaboration frameworks (including funded and collaborative R&T agreements) and market/competitor intelligence to ensure Safran Landing Systems is positioned early and credibly on next generation platforms and programs.

What we offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Paid holidays
• Recognition programs
• Comprehensive benefits
• Retirement (401K) plans with employer match
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Over 300 career paths across global sites

Work Culture:

At Safran, we foster a respectful and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. We support sustainable career journeys and encourage employees to explore multiple paths for growth. Collaboration is essential to our success, and we are committed to helping every team member thrive. We engage with our communities through educational programs, outreach initiatives, and career events, inspiring future talent to join our mission.

Join Safran Landing Systems, where you can look to the skies and say “we did that.”

Safran Landing Systems is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. For verification or accommodation requests, please email [e-mail] or call 859-817-2910. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Essential

• Proven senior business development and capture experience in aerospace and/or defence, including ownership of pursuit strategy and bid submissions.
• Ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships with OEM and/or military customers and influence requirements early.
• Strong negotiation, pricing and financial acumen, with experience shaping deal terms alongside Sales, Commercial and Legal teams.
• Bid and proposal leadership, coordinating Sales, Programmes, Engineering, Research & Technology (R&T), operations and sites to meet quality and schedule requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to brief senior leadership and align global and divisional priorities.
• Willingness to travel within North America and occasionally to Europe.

Desirable

• Experience with US defence acquisition, US Department of Defense customers, prime contractors and associated proposal practices.
• Knowledge of landing gear or adjacent aerospace systems, with the ability to translate technical solutions into customer value.
• Experience establishing collaborative R&T programmes and/or negotiating collaborative research agreements.
• Market intelligence and competitor analysis experience, translating trends into actionable capture plans.
• Eligibility to access controlled programs and customer sites, including export compliance and/or security clearance readiness where applicable.