Business Development Specialist

Oceaneering; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceaneering Mobile Robotics (OMR) seeks a dynamic Business Development Lead to drive market expansion across Texas and neighboring states. You will build relationships with operations, engineering, and executive teams, leading discovery, workshops, and pre-proposal discussions to define requirements and opportunities.

You will develop practical automation solutions with internal teams, manage complex sales cycles, and craft compelling business cases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of business development or technical sales in industrial automation, robotics, logistics, or related B2B industries.
• Proven success developing new business through proactive outbound prospecting, territory development, and opportunity creation.
• Experience coordinating sales efforts across technical, operational, financial, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead customers through multi-month decision processes requiring business case development and negotiations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience using CRM platforms and LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Drive market expansion across Southeast Texas and surrounding regions, with emphasis on Houston and industrial markets.
• Identify, prospect, and develop new opportunities through targeted outreach, networking, referrals, and market engagement.
• Build and manage a qualified sales pipeline across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, energy, aerospace, and other target industries.
• Lead discovery activities, facility assessments, workshops, and pre-proposal discussions to define requirements and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop practical, customer-focused automation solutions and position OMR as a trusted partner.
• Lead complex sales involving multiple stakeholders and develop compelling business cases and commercial strategies.

Skills

Outbound prospecting

Territory development

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Relationship building

CRM experience

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field

Tools

CRM platforms

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

Job Description

Oceaneering Mobile Robotics (OMR) is building momentum in Houston and across the broader southeastern United States market, and this role will help lead that expansion. The Business Development Lead will be at the front end of OMR's growth efforts, identifying, developing, and converting new opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, energy, and industrial markets.

This is a true business development and territory expansion role, designed for someone who enjoys creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. The successful candidate will be expected to drive targeted outreach, build strong relationships, and create a visible commercial presence throughout Texas and the surrounding states.

The role calls for a disciplined hunter mentality, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder sales processes with confidence. While qualified opportunities, executive access, and strong customer relationships are important leading indicators, success in this role will ultimately be measured by revenue generated and successful projects won for OMR's AGV and AMR solutions.

Responsibilities

Business Development & Territory Growth

• Drive market expansion across the Southeast, with primary emphasis on Houston and surrounding industrial markets.
• Identify, prospect, and develop new opportunities through targeted outreach, networking, referrals, industry associations, and market engagement.
• Build and manage a qualified sales pipeline across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, energy, aerospace, and other target industries.

Customer Engagement & Solution Development

• Build relationships with operational, engineering, supply chain, and executive stakeholders to understand customer priorities and decision drivers.
• Lead discovery activities, facility assessments, workshops, and pre-proposal discussions to define requirements, success criteria, and automation opportunities.
• Partner with internal technical and commercial teams to develop practical, customer-focused solutions that position OMR as a trusted automation partner.

Complex Sales & Commercial Execution

• Lead complex sales opportunities involving multiple stakeholders across operations, engineering, IT, finance, procurement, safety, and executive leadership.
• Develop business cases, commercial strategies, and negotiation approaches that support successful project outcomes.
• Maintain accurate forecasts, opportunity records, and pipeline reporting while balancing customer requirements, technical feasibility, commercial objectives, and business risk.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Support

• Gather and communicate competitive intelligence, customer feedback, market trends, and emerging opportunities that support OMR's growth strategy.
• Provide market insight to leadership and product teams regarding customer needs, competitive positioning, and future opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement of sales processes, value messaging, and go-to-market strategies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering , Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years of business development, technical sales, or account development experience in industrial automation, robotics, material handling, logistics, software, manufacturing, or related B2B industries.
• Demonstrated success developing new business through proactive outbound prospecting, territory development, and opportunity creation.
• Proven experience managing complex solution sales involving multiple stakeholders, extended sales cycles, and significant capital or operational investment decisions.
• Experience coordinating sales efforts across technical, operational, financial, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead customers through multi-month decision processes requiring business case development, solution evaluation, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop technical and commercial credibility with manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and industrial customers.
• Experience using CRM platforms, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and modern prospecting tools.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 50%.

Preferred

• Experience selling automation systems, robotic solutions, material handling equipment, warehouse technologies, industrial software, intralogistics solutions, or other complex capital equipment.
• Experience selling six- and seven-figure projects involving software, controls, automation, robotics, systems integration, or operational transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with AGVs, AMRs, warehouse automation, manufacturing automation, and supply chain technologies.
• Experience establishing and growing a new geographic territory or emerging market.
• Existing professional network within Texas manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, energy, or industrial markets.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule based in Houston, Texas, with a minimum of three (3) days per week in the office.
• Approximately 30% travel throughout Texas and North America.
• Travel is typically one to two nights per trip and includes customer meetings, site visits, industry conferences, trade shows, and OMR facilities.
• Ability to work safely within manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, healthcare, and industrial environments while utilizing required PPE.

About Us

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.