Business Development Manager

iRiS Recruiting Solutions; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

iRiS Recruiting Solutions in the Los Angeles area seeks a Business Development Manager to drive new business in aerospace and defense, combining technical insight with a sales-driven mindset.

You will own multi-million dollar sales goals, build a robust pipeline, identify emerging platforms, and collaborate with engineering to deliver tailored solutions while traveling 30–40% of the time.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of engineering or technical experience.
• 3–5 years of business development or technical sales.
• Aerospace/defense/space/UAV experience highly preferred.
• Comfortable with detailed technical discussions with customers and engineers.
• Strong hunter mindset with demonstrated lead generation and closing ability.
• Detail-oriented, results-driven, and able to execute independently.

Responsibilities

• Own annual sales goals of roughly $20M–$30M.
• Develop and manage a multi-opportunity pipeline of technical sales deals.
• Identify emerging platforms, programs, and market opportunities in aerospace/defense/UAV.
• Partner with engineering and operations to craft technical solutions.
• Move opportunities from lead to commercial closure and support key customer relationships.
• Travel approximately 30–40% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Technical sales

New business

Customer-facing

Detail-oriented

Job description

Business Development Manager — Drive New Business in Aerospace and Defense

Location: Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

We are looking to hire a Business Development Manager focused heavily on new business development, technical sales, and market expansion. This is an individual contributor opportunity for someone who combines a strong technical foundation with the energy and commercial mindset to identify opportunities and drive them through the finish line.

The Opportunity

• Approximately 90% focused on new business, new customers, and new products
• Own annual sales goals of approximately $20M–$30M
• Develop and manage a pipeline of multiple technical sales opportunities simultaneously
• Identify emerging platforms, programs, and market opportunities across space, defense, and UAV systems
• Partner closely with engineering and operations to develop technical solutions for customers
• Manage opportunities from initial lead and technical discussions through commercial execution
• Support relationships with major aerospace, defense, and government customers
• Approximately 30–40% domestic and international travel

Ideal Background

• Approximately 5+ years of engineering or technical experience
• Additional 3–5 years of business development, technical sales, or customer-facing commercial experience
• Aerospace, defense, space, UAV, or similarly technical manufacturing experience
• Comfortable having detailed technical conversations with customers and engineers
• Strong new-business hunter mentality with demonstrated success developing leads and winning business
• Critical thinker who is detail-oriented, results-driven, and comfortable personally executing

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a high-growth mindset who wants significant visibility within an established aerospace organization and the opportunity to help shape its next phase of growth.