Business Development Manager

Destinus; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is expanding its presence in the United States defense market with a Business Development Manager role. You will identify opportunities, build and maintain relationships with government agencies, defense organizations, and industry partners, and lead BD strategies to win sustainable opportunities for Destinus' unmanned systems and aerospace innovations.

You will work with engineering, product, operations, legal, and leadership teams to translate customer requirements into compelling

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development, capture, or government-facing roles in defense/aerospace.
• Strong understanding of US defense procurement processes and stakeholder networks.
• Ability to translate customer needs into compelling commercial solutions.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage opportunities across US defense and government markets, focusing on unmanned systems and aerospace tech.
• Build relationships with government agencies, defense organizations, primes, and industry partners.
• Develop and execute BD strategies to strengthen Destinus' US position and create sustainable opportunities.
• Own opportunities through the BD lifecycle: engagement, qualification, proposals, negotiations, and awards.
• Identify RFIs/RFPs and coordinate responses with internal teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, operations, legal, and leadership to translate requirements into solutions.
• Represent Destinus at industry events, meetings, and demonstrations across the US.
• Develop partnerships with US companies to enhance capabilities and market access.
• Maintain visibility of US defense landscape and provide commercial insights for strategy.
• Support negotiations and development of commercial agreements in line with internal compliance.

Skills

Business development

Capture management

Government relations

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About the Role

Imagine this. You are at the center of Destinus' expansion in one of the world's most important defense markets, building relationships, identifying strategic opportunities, and turning advanced aerospace technology into real programs and partnerships. As our Business Development Manager US, you will help grow Destinus' presence across the United States, working closely with government stakeholders, defense organizations, industry partners, and our internal technical and commercial teams.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You'll Do

• Identify, develop, and manage business opportunities across the US defense and government markets, with a strong focus on unmanned aerial systems and advanced aerospace technologies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant government agencies, defense organizations, military stakeholders, prime contractors, strategic partners, and industry players.

• Develop and execute business development strategies that strengthen Destinus' position and generate sustainable opportunities in the US market.

• Own opportunities throughout the business development lifecycle, from early market engagement and qualification through proposal development, negotiation, and contract award.

• Identify relevant government programs, tenders, RFIs, RFPs, and other procurement opportunities and coordinate Destinus' response with internal stakeholders.

• Work closely with engineering, product, operations, legal, finance, and leadership teams to translate customer requirements into compelling technical and commercial solutions.

• Represent Destinus at industry events, conferences, customer meetings, demonstrations, and strategic engagements across the United States.

• Develop partnerships with US companies and organizations that can strengthen Destinus' capabilities, market access, and competitive position.

• Maintain a clear view of the US defense landscape, including customer priorities, procurement developments, competitor activity, and emerging market opportunities.

• Provide accurate pipeline visibility, opportunity assessments, and commercial insights to support strategic decision-making.

• Support negotiations and the development of commercial agreements while ensuring alignment with internal compliance and approval processes.

• Be ready to travel regularly across the United States and internationally when required.

What You'll Need

• Proven experience in business development, sales, capture management, government relations, or a related commercial role within defense, aerospace, unmanned systems, or another relevant technology sector.

• Strong understanding of the US defense ecosystem and government procurement environment.

• Experience developing relationships with government, military, defense industry, or prime contractor stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and move them from initial engagement toward concrete commercial outcomes.

• Experience working with RFIs, RFPs, tenders, proposals, or government contracting processes.

• Ability to understand complex technical products and communicate their operational and commercial value to different audiences.

• Strong negotiation, presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Commercial mindset with the ability to operate independently and prioritize opportunities based on strategic value.

• Comfortable working across technical, commercial, and executive teams in an international organization.

• Professional fluency in English.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, International Relations, Aerospace, Defense Studies, or a related field. Relevant professional experience may also be considered.

• Existing relationships within the US defense and aerospace ecosystem are highly valued.
  

Who You Are

You thrive in fast-moving environments where technology, strategy, and commercial opportunities come together. You are proactive, commercially driven, and comfortable building relationships with demanding stakeholders. You take ownership, communicate with confidence, and know how to turn complex opportunities into concrete business outcomes.