Business Development Manager, Space Initiatives

DRS Global; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space and Defense is seeking a seasoned Business Development Manager, Space Initiatives to position SES as a trusted partner for sovereign space capabilities supporting the U.S. Government and allied nations.

The role shapes long-term growth strategies, develops new opportunities, and guides investment decisions, collaborating with customers, industry partners, and SES leadership to translate mission needs into viable business opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Business, Communications, or related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of professional experience in the satellite, telecommunications, or space industry.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Experience with U.S. Government customers and acquisition processes.
• Leadership in business development, capture, sales, marketing, and growth strategies.
• Knowledge of PPBE, DoD 5000, and OTA procurements.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Familiarity with CRM tools and U.S. Government IA standards.

Responsibilities

• Position SES Space & Defense as a leader in sovereign space market.
• Lead end-to-end space-based network and satellite solutions programs.
• Support proposal development, RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs through capture with subcontractors.
• Develop relationships with U.S. Government, industry partners, and vendors.
• Perform government market analyses and forecast SATCOM trends.
• Develop SES Space & Defense strategies and investment recommendations.
• Identify opportunities related to space relay services with partners.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on alliances, JV, M&A initiatives.
• Attend trade shows, conferences, and customer engagements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

DoD/PPBE knowledge

OTA procurements

TS/SCI clearance

Capture management

CRM tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Business, Communications, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today's most critical missions.

What You’ll Do:

The Business Development Manager, Space Initiatives is a strategic business leader responsible for positioning SES Space & Defense as a trusted partner for next-generation sovereign space capabilities supporting the U.S. Government and allied nations. This role identifies, shapes, and advances new growth opportunities centered on end-to-end space and network solutions, helping customers solve increasingly complex mission challenges through innovative commercial space technologies. Working across SES Space & Defense and the broader SES organization, the successful candidate will help define long-term growth strategies, develop new business opportunities, and influence future space architectures that expand the company’s position in the government market. The role requires close collaboration with customers, industry partners, engineering organizations, and executive leadership to translate emerging mission needs into viable business opportunities. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced business development leader who combines deep knowledge of the national security space market with the ability to shape strategy, influence investment decisions, and drive long-term growth.

• Position SES Space & Defense and SES as a leader within the Sovereign Space market
• Lead next-generation business development programs delivering end-to-end space-based network and satellite solutions
• Support proposal development efforts, including RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, through the business capture process while coordinating subcontractors, consultants, and internal team members
• Develop and maintain relationships with U.S. Government organizations, industry partners, satellite operators, competitors, and vendors to identify strategic market opportunities
• Perform U.S. Government market analyses, including mid- and long-term forecasts for SATCOM bandwidth demand, technology evolution, and emerging market trends
• Develop SES Space & Defense strategies, initiatives, and investment recommendations supporting the organization’s strategic goals and financial objectives
• Identify, qualify, and develop mid- and long-term opportunities related to space relay services and other space-segment growth initiatives while coordinating with government, allied, and industry partners
• Work with senior leadership to identify, qualify, and execute strategic opportunities, including alliances, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and other revenue-generating initiatives
• Attend trade shows, conferences, customer engagements, and industry events as required

Who You Are:

You are a strategic business development leader with a deep understanding of the national security space market and the ability to translate emerging customer requirements into long-term business growth. You thrive at the intersection of government missions, commercial innovation, and corporate strategy, building trusted relationships that influence future space capabilities and investment decisions. You are equally comfortable engaging executive leadership, government stakeholders, engineering teams, and industry partners to shape opportunities from concept through capture. Your background combines technical credibility with strong business acumen, allowing you to evaluate market trends, identify strategic gaps, and develop differentiated growth strategies. Most importantly, you are motivated by advancing resilient space architectures and helping government customers solve tomorrow’s mission challenges through innovative commercial space solutions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Business, Communications, or another related technical or business discipline
• Advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience within the satellite, telecommunications, or space industry
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance with the ability to maintain eligibility
• Advanced knowledge of commercial space-based solutions supporting U.S. Government missions, including space data relay services
• Experience working with U.S. Government customers and acquisition processes
• Demonstrated leadership experience in business development, capture management, sales, marketing, and organizational growth strategies
• Understanding of DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE), DoD 5000 acquisition processes, and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) procurements
• Ability to develop business opportunities with U.S. allies, coalition partners, and international government customers
• Knowledge of U.S. national security space architectures and mission areas, including MILSATCOM, Space Data Networks, Missile Warning and Tracking, and resilient space systems
• Knowledge of satellite industry trends, emerging technologies, and strategic market initiatives
• Strong ability to drive revenue growth and execute strategic business initiatives
• Outstanding organizational, analytical, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of customer needs, competitive positioning, and market dynamics
• Ability to interpret government contracts and translate customer requirements into business opportunities
• Strong understanding of U.S. Government capture management processes
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support customers and business initiatives
• Experience identifying, qualifying, and developing strategic business opportunities
• Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools and processes
• Familiarity with U.S. Government Information Assurance standards and practices
• Experience developing and executing strategic business plans
• Extensive network of relationships across the commercial space and U.S. Government sectors

SES Space and Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.