Defense Account Manager

Connexion Systems + Engineering; Rhode Island; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Connexion Systems & Engineering Inc. is seeking a Key Account Manager/Business Development Manager for the U.S. Defense sector. The position is remote (ideally East Coast) with PERM status and standard business hours, occasional weekend trade shows.

You will manage defense accounts, pursue new opportunities, and coordinate with sales, engineering, and contracts to win contracts and grow the pipeline. U.S. citizenship and security clearance readiness are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, political science, or related field.
• 5+ years of defense sales, account management, business development, or government contracting experience.
• Experience supporting DoD customers or prime contractors.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. defense acquisition and procurement processes.
• Ability to obtain security clearance if required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow relationships with assigned U.S. defense accounts.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within the defense market.
• Develop account plans and growth strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Support capture, proposal, and contract negotiation activities.
• Coordinate with internal teams including sales, engineering, program management, contracts, and leadership.
• Monitor customer needs, procurement trends, and competitive activity.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, account activity, and forecast information in CRM systems.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable government contracting requirements and internal processes.

Skills

Defense sales

Account management

Business development

Government contracting

Communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Title

Key Account Manager/ Business Development Manager (U.S Defense)

Pay Rate

$80-90k base plus two annual bonuses (Waiting on exact bonus structure)

Location

Remote (Ideally on the East Coast or local to a national airport)

Duration

PERM

Shift

Standard Business Hours (Some weekends for trade shows if needed)

Job Summary

Key Account Manager / Business Development Manager - U.S. Defense

Location

Remote, preferably Eastern U.S.

Department

Sales / Business Development / Government Programs

Position Overview

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of the defense procurement environment that includes ITAR compliance, experience working with government or defense prime customers and platforms such as SAM.GOV, NAVSUP/NAVAIR and the DLA directly, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow relationships with assigned U.S. defense accounts
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within the defense market
• Develop account plans and growth strategies aligned with company objectives
• Support capture, proposal, and contract negotiation activities
• Coordinate with internal teams including sales, engineering, program management, contracts, and leadership
• Monitor customer needs, procurement trends, and competitive activity
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows
• Maintain accurate pipeline, account activity, and forecast information in CRM systems
• Help ensure compliance with applicable government contracting requirements and internal processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, political science, or a related field
• [5+] years of experience in defense sales, account management, business development, or government contracting
• Demonstrated experience supporting or managing relationships with U.S. Department of Defense customers, agencies, or prime contractors
• Strong knowledge of the U.S. defense acquisition and procurement process
• Proven ability to develop strategic customer relationships and win business
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
• U.S. citizenship will be required for this role
• Ability to obtain or hold a security clearance, if required

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships within the U.S. defense community
• Experience with federal contracting vehicles and acquisition programs
• Background in aerospace, defense technology, cybersecurity, communications, or related sectors
• Active security clearance
• Experience with capture management and proposal development

What Success Looks Like

• Strong customer engagement and account retention
• Growth in pipeline and revenue across defense accounts
• Successful identification and pursuit of strategic opportunities
• Effective internal coordination to support customer requirements and business goals

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and holidays

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.