Business Development Manager

Guided Search Partners; New Oxford (Adams County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners seeks a Director of Business Development to lead growth in aerospace and defense markets, focusing on precision mechanical manufacturing, machining, engineered components, and complex assemblies.

You will identify opportunities, build strategic relationships with customers, expand existing accounts, and drive profitable revenue growth. The role requires a blend of BD expertise and mechanical/manufacturing acumen to translate customer needs into actionable opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in BD/sales/program management in aerospace/defense.
• Proven success securing aerospace/defense contracts.
• Strong understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, GD&T, specs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive BD strategy focused on aerospace and defense markets.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new opportunities with aerospace OEMs, defense primes, and Tier 1/2 suppliers.
• Develop and maintain executive-level and technical relationships with customers.
• Lead customer visits, capability presentations, technical discussions, and negotiations.
• Represent the company at aerospace and defense conferences and events.

Skills

BD strategy

Relationship building

Technical communication

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

Mechanical/Engineering degree

Job description

The Director of Business Development will lead the company’s growth strategy within the aerospace and defense markets, with a strong emphasis on precision mechanical manufacturing, machining, engineered components, and complex assemblies.

This position is responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, developing strategic relationships with aerospace and defense customers, expanding existing accounts, and driving profitable revenue growth. The ideal candidate will possess a strong combination of business development expertise and mechanical/manufacturing acumen, allowing them to understand customer requirements, evaluate manufacturability, communicate effectively with engineering teams, and position the company's technical capabilities to win new programs.

The successful candidate will be comfortable discussing machining processes, materials, tolerances, GD&T, engineering drawings, manufacturing methods, inspection requirements, and design-for-manufacturability considerations with customers, engineers, and internal manufacturing personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy focused on aerospace and defense markets.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new opportunities with aerospace OEMs, defense primes, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, and other strategic customers.
• Develop and maintain executive-level and technical relationships with customers.
• Identify upcoming programs, new product introductions, RFQs, RFPs, sourcing initiatives, and opportunities for supplier diversification.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline from initial prospecting through contract award.
• Develop strategic account plans designed to increase revenue and expand the company's footprint within key customers.
• Conduct competitive analysis and identify opportunities where the company's manufacturing capabilities provide a technical or commercial advantage.
• Lead customer visits, capability presentations, technical discussions, proposal reviews, and negotiations.
• Represent the company at aerospace and defense conferences, trade shows, supplier events, and industry organizations.

Mechanical & Manufacturing Acumen

• Serve as a technically knowledgeable business development resource capable of understanding and communicating complex mechanical manufacturing requirements.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, statements of work, and customer requirements to identify potential opportunities and manufacturing challenges.
• Understand precision CNC machining, turning, milling, grinding, fabrication, sheet metal, assemblies, and other mechanical manufacturing processes.
• Possess working knowledge of GD&T, dimensional tolerancing, surface finishes, material specifications, heat treatment, coatings, and special processes.
• Understand the relationship between part design, tolerances, material selection, manufacturing processes, inspection requirements, and overall cost.
• Work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to evaluate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, lead time, and production efficiency.
• Participate in technical reviews to determine whether customer requirements can be effectively supported by existing manufacturing capabilities.
• Translate customer technical requirements into clear business opportunities and internal action plans.
• Identify opportunities to provide customers with value-added engineering and manufacturing solutions rather than simply competing on price.
• Understand production constraints, capacity requirements, tooling considerations, cycle times, setup requirements, and manufacturing lead times when evaluating new opportunities.
• Collaborate with estimating and engineering teams to develop technically sound and commercially competitive quotations.
• Communicate technical capabilities and manufacturing limitations effectively to both technical and non-technical customer stakeholders.

Capture & Proposal Management

• Lead capture activities from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Develop win strategies based on customer requirements, technical capabilities, competitive positioning, pricing, quality, delivery, and program risk.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams during RFQ/RFP responses.
• Partner with engineering, estimating, operations, quality, supply chain, and program management to develop proposals.
• Review technical requirements and identify potential scope, cost, schedule, and manufacturing risks.
• Support make/buy analysis and manufacturing process evaluations when appropriate.
• Develop compelling proposals that clearly demonstrate the company's technical capabilities and value proposition.
• Support commercial and contract negotiations while protecting company profitability and technical commitments.

Customer & Account Management

• Develop trusted relationships with engineering, sourcing, quality, program management, and executive-level customer contacts.
• Identify opportunities for additional products, programs, assemblies, and services within existing accounts.
• Conduct regular business reviews with strategic customers.
• Proactively identify customer issues and coordinate internal resources to resolve them.
• Maintain a deep understanding of each customer's technology, products, programs, manufacturing requirements, and supplier expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and industry experience.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales, program management, engineering, manufacturing, or strategic account management within aerospace, defense, precision machining, or advanced manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success developing new business and securing contracts with aerospace and/or defense customers.
• Strong understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes and precision machining.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Working knowledge of materials commonly used in aerospace and defense manufacturing, including aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, and other engineered materials.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost drivers, production processes, tolerances, tooling, inspection, and lead times.
• Ability to communicate effectively with mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, machinists, quality professionals, buyers, program managers, and executive leadership.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, technical sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel regularly for customer meetings, trade shows, conferences, and business development activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering degree.
• Direct experience in CNC machining, precision manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or aerospace component production.
• Experience with complex machined components, mechanical assemblies, or tight-tolerance components.
• Familiarity with GD&T, ASME Y14.5, SPC, CMM inspection, first article inspection, and process capability.
• Knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, ITAR, and/or DFARS requirements.
• Experience working with aerospace and defense OEMs, prime contractors, and Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers.
• Experience with forging, casting, additive manufacturing, fabrication, welding, heat treatment, plating, coatings, and other special processes.
• Experience reviewing customer drawings and specifications as part of an RFQ or new-product introduction process.
• Understanding of DFM/DFA and cost-reduction/value-engineering methodologies.
• Existing relationships within the aerospace and defense manufacturing supply chain.
• Aerospace & Defense Business Development