Defense Business Development Lead El Segundo, CA

Skyryse Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Valuable stock option plan

Heavily subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans

20 days of paid time off (PTO)

5 sick days annually

Job summary

Skyryse Inc. is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive defense commercialization efforts. The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of government relations and acquisition strategy, responsible for managing stakeholder networks, conducting landscape analysis, and supporting the development of the defense strategy. Qualifications include 5+ years of relevant experience, strong research skills, and a Bachelor's degree. Compensation is between $120,000 and $150,000, along with a stock option plan and subsidized medical benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in management consulting, banking, or defense strategy.
• Proven ability to build network maps and conduct landscape analysis.
• High intellectual curiosity and ability to learn new technical domains quickly.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a power map of decision-makers across DoD and Congress.
• Conduct analysis to identify programs and funding pathways.
• Support Skyryse's defense commercialization strategy.

Skills

Management consulting

Data mining

Research skills

Network analysis

Business case development

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Skyryse is seeking an execution-driven Business Development Lead to support our defense commercialization efforts. This role operates at the intersection of government relations, acquisition strategy, product positioning, and market creation.

This is a full-time onsite opportunity based out of El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a detailed power map of decision-makers, budget owners, program offices, and influence centers across DoD and Congress.
• Conduct landscape analysis and data mining across the defense ecosystem to identify programs, funding pathways, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities.
• Support the development and execution of Skyryse's defense commercialization strategy across DoD and related agencies.
• Develop and manage a stakeholder network spanning professional staff members, acquisition officials, program leaders, and warfighter end users.
• Produce briefing materials, stakeholder dossiers, market analyses, and strategic memos that inform executive decision-making.
• Track competitor activity, industry trends, and acquisition signals to sharpen positioning and uncover opportunities.
• Support coordinated efforts across government relations, advisory board development, lobbying partners, PR, and competitive positioning.
• Partner with product, engineering, and leadership to align messaging and positioning with defense and commercial needs.
• Drive early program adoption through pilots, prototypes, and competitive evaluations.
• Take on ad hoc strategic projects to support executive priorities as the company scales.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience across management consulting, banking, the Intelligence Community, defense strategy, corporate strategy, or comparable analytical environments.
• Proven track record building network maps, pitching materials, landscape analysis, building business cases, and data mining complex ecosystems to surface relationships, decision pathways, and opportunities.
• Strong research skills with the ability to turn sprawling, ambiguous problems into clear, structured answers.
• High intellectual horsepower and curiosity, with a demonstrated ability to learn new technical domains quickly.
• Genuine interest in aviation, aerospace, and autonomy; prior domain experience not required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in the U.S. Intelligence Community, particularly in roles involving network analysis, target development, or all-source landscape assessment.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, budget cycles, or government funding pathways.
• Exposure to defense technology, dual-use technology, or high-growth startup environments.
• Experience supporting government relations or lobbying efforts.
• Interest in or exposure to crewed, unmanned, or autonomous aviation systems and how they are evaluated and funded across DoD acquisition pathways.

Benefits

• Compensation range: $120,000 – $150,000
• Valuable stock option plan
• Heavily subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans
• Full-time employees eligible for 20 days of paid time off (PTO) and 5 sick days annually. PTO and sick days must be used in accordance with company policy.
• A dynamic work environment with smart, motivated colleagues.

EEO Statement

We welcome all. Skyryse is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.