Business Development Manager – Special Operations (SOCOM) Growth

Front Door Defense; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

PTO & Holidays

Parental Leave

Salary + Bonuses

401(k) Plan

Stock Options

Life & Disability

Pet Insurance

Free Lunch & Snacks

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth within USSOCOM and related Special Operations organizations, leveraging an established network across government, industry, and end users to shape opportunities from early engagement through contract award.

The role requires deep knowledge of DoD acquisition, autonomous maritime technologies, and the ability to build trusted partnerships while navigating a fast-paced startup environment. Travel of 40–60% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, International Relations, or related field.
• 8+ years of business development, capture, military, or government experience supporting the DoD.
• Proven success winning and capturing DoD opportunities from identification through contract award.
• Existing relationships across USSOCOM, SOF Components, Program Executive Offices, acquisition organizations, or the broader Special Operations enterprise.
• Strong understanding of DoD and SOF acquisition processes, OTA agreements, FAR-based contracting, SBIR/STTR programs, and rapid acquisition pathways.
• Knowledge of autonomous systems, unmanned maritime platforms, defense technology, or related capabilities.
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced startup environment with minimal oversight.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40–60%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the business development strategy for USSOCOM and related Special Operations organizations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across USSOCOM, TSOCs, SOF Components, Program Executive Offices, Program Managers, operational units, and acquisition organizations.
• Identify, qualify, and mature new opportunities across autonomous maritime systems, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), maritime ISR, logistics, force protection, and expeditionary operations.
• Develop and manage a qualified pipeline from early customer engagement through capture, proposal, negotiation, and award.
• Influence customer requirements by maintaining regular engagement with operators, acquisition professionals, and mission planners.
• Lead capture planning, competitive assessments, win strategies, and customer engagement activities for priority pursuits.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Government Affairs, and Program Management to align customer needs with Saronic's product roadmap.
• Represent Saronic at SOF industry conferences, experimentation events, demonstrations, exercises, and customer engagements.
• Identify strategic partnerships with prime contractors, technology companies, and mission partners to strengthen competitive positioning.
• Monitor acquisition strategies, funding opportunities, congressional priorities, and emerging SOF capability gaps to inform business strategy.
• Support proposal development, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations for strategic opportunities.
• Maintain accurate opportunity forecasting, pipeline reporting, and CRM data.

Skills

Executive communication

Strategic partnerships

Capture management

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, International Relations, or related field

Job description

Business Development Manager – Special Operations (SOCOM)

Drive and close USSOCOM special operations contracts by building strategic partnerships.

Location: Tampa, Florida

About The Role

Business Development Manager

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state‑of‑the‑art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Job Overview

Saronic is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead growth initiatives across the U.S. Special Operations community. This individual will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, capturing, and shaping opportunities that expand Saronic's presence within USSOCOM, SOF Components, and adjacent mission organizations.

The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of Special Operations missions, DoD acquisition processes, and autonomous maritime technologies. They will leverage an established network across government, industry, and end users to develop strategic partnerships, influence requirements, and drive opportunities from early customer engagement through contract award.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the business development strategy for USSOCOM and related Special Operations organizations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across USSOCOM, TSOCs, SOF Components, Program Executive Offices, Program Managers, operational units, and acquisition organizations.
• Identify, qualify, and mature new opportunities across autonomous maritime systems, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), maritime ISR, logistics, force protection, and expeditionary operations.
• Develop and manage a qualified pipeline from early customer engagement through capture, proposal, negotiation, and award.
• Influence customer requirements by maintaining regular engagement with operators, acquisition professionals, and mission planners.
• Lead capture planning, competitive assessments, win strategies, and customer engagement activities for priority pursuits.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Government Affairs, and Program Management to align customer needs with Saronic's product roadmap.
• Represent Saronic at SOF industry conferences, experimentation events, demonstrations, exercises, and customer engagements.
• Identify strategic partnerships with prime contractors, technology companies, and mission partners to strengthen competitive positioning.
• Monitor acquisition strategies, funding opportunities, congressional priorities, and emerging SOF capability gaps to inform business strategy.
• Support proposal development, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations for strategic opportunities.
• Maintain accurate opportunity forecasting, pipeline reporting, and CRM data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.
• 8+ years of business development, capture, military, or government experience supporting the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated success winning and capturing DoD opportunities from identification through contract award.
• Existing relationships across USSOCOM, SOF Components, Program Executive Offices, acquisition organizations, or the broader Special Operations enterprise.
• Strong understanding of DoD and SOF acquisition processes, OTA agreements, FAR-based contracting, SBIR/STTR programs, and rapid acquisition pathways.
• Knowledge of autonomous systems, unmanned maritime platforms, defense technology, or related capabilities.
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced startup environment with minimal oversight.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40–60%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Former Special Operations military experience (e.g., SEAL, SWCC, MARSOC, Army Special Forces, Ranger Regiment, Air Force Special Warfare, or Coast Guard MSRT/MSST) or extensive experience supporting the SOF community.
• Existing network across USSOCOM headquarters, SOF Components, TSOCs, PEO‑SOV Warrior, SOFWERX, DIU, NavalX, DARPA, and other defense innovation organizations.
• Experience with autonomous systems, unmanned surface vessels, maritime operations, ISR, C5ISR, or AI‑enabled defense technologies.
• Experience supporting demonstrations, exercises, experimentation campaigns, or operational user evaluations.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check‑ups, orthodontics, and vision care

Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

Competitive Salary: Industry‑standard salaries with opportunities for performance‑based bonuses

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match

Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success

Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short‑ and long‑term disability coverage

Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline

Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export‑controlled information or items that require 'U.S. Person' status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a 'U.S. Person': (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.