Business Development Manager

iRocket; Hauppauge (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Wellness Resources

Job summary

iRocket (Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc.) in Hauppauge, NY is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth by identifying opportunities and guiding proposals and contracts with commercial, government, and defense customers.

You will collaborate with engineering, finance, and strategy teams, manage pipelines from prospecting to award, ace negotiations, and represent the company at industry events to advance long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years in business development, sales, or strategy in aerospace, defense, or tech.
• Proven track record managing high-value partnerships or contracts.
• Familiarity with government contracting, proposal processes, and funding mechanisms (NASA, DoD, DARPA).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build trust with technical and executive stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset in a fast-paced startup.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new opportunities across commercial, civil, and defense space sectors.
• Manage the full business development lifecycle from prospecting to contract execution.
• Build and maintain relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver presentations, proposals, and responses to solicitations (RFPs, RFIs, BAAs).
• Collaborate with engineering, finance, and strategy teams to align needs with capabilities.
• Support partnership development and potential MOUs or joint ventures.
• Monitor market trends, competition, and policy developments in space.
• Represent iRocket at industry events and conferences to expand network and brand.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

MBA or technical degree preferred

Job description

iRocket (Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc.) is developing fully reusable, fully autonomous small launch vehicles to revolutionize access to space. As we expand our operations and partnerships, we're seeking a Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth, build customer relationships, and secure new commercial and government opportunities.

This role sits at the intersection of aerospace innovation, customer engagement, and strategic execution. You'll help define how iRocket engages with launch customers, government agencies, and industry partners — turning vision into measurable impact.

The Role

• Identify and develop new business opportunities in the commercial, civil, and defense space sectors
• Manage the full business development lifecycle — from prospecting and pipeline management to negotiation and contract execution
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, customers, and partners
• Develop and deliver presentations, proposals, and responses to solicitations (RFPs, RFIs, BAAs, SBIR/STTRs)
• Collaborate with internal teams (engineering, finance, strategy) to align customer needs with company capabilities
• Support partnership development, strategic collaborations, and potential MOU or JV discussions
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and policy developments in the space industry
• Represent iRocket at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term growth initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA or technical degree preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in business development, sales, or strategy (aerospace, defense, or tech sector preferred)
• Proven track record of managing high-value partnerships or contracts
• Familiarity with government contracting, proposal processes, and funding mechanisms (NASA, DoD, DARPA, etc.)
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to build trust and maintain relationships with technical and executive stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable operating in a fast-paced, mission-driven startup environment
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Wellness Resources