Director, Business Development – Air Force Programs

Castelion; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelion is seeking a Director of Business Development for Air Force Programs to own the capture lifecycle from opportunity identification through award. You will manage relationships with Air Force stakeholders, develop strategic capture plans, and drive win strategies across all phases of pursuit.

The role demands 7+ years in defense BD, strong understanding of USAF processes, and an active DoW Secret clearance (Top Secret/SCI preferred).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of defense BD, capture management, or program management experience with success in the US Air Force market.
• Direct experience with Air Force programs strongly preferred.
• Understanding of USAF acquisition processes and DoD POM processes.
• Proven ability to own and drive a full capture lifecycle from opportunity identification through proposal submission.
• Active DoW Secret security clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with senior government personnel.

Responsibilities

• Program Capture Ownership.
• Single accountable owner for BD & Capture activities related to Air Force Programs from opportunity identification to contract award.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive capture plan aligned with customer priorities and company capabilities.
• Define and drive win strategy, price-to-win analysis, teaming decisions, and solution shaping with technical and program teams.
• Accountable for the outcome of all capture efforts on Air Force programs; measure success by pursuit qualification, proposal quality, and contract award.
• Maintain a long-range view of Air Force procurement roadmap and position the company for future opportunities.
• Build, cultivate, and sustain relationships with key Air Force stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary company representative for BD & capture engagements with Air Force programs.
• Facilitate regular touchpoints with government counterparts to maintain situational awareness and reinforce value proposition.
• Navigate Air Force organizational landscape to engage decision-makers, influencers, and end-users relevant to Air Force programs.
• Represent the company at Air Force conferences, industry days, site visits, and program reviews.
• Translate government priorities into actionable intelligence for internal stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Capture management

Opportunity identification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we're building a world-class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you'll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

Director, Business Development – Air Force Programs

The Business Development (BD) Director – Air Force programs is responsible for all aspects of growth, capture, and relationship management associated with Air Force programs. This individual serves as the primary interface between the company and Air Force stakeholders, with full ownership of the capture lifecycle, requirements definition, and customer engagement strategy. The BD Director will operate with a high degree of autonomy and is expected to function as both a strategic leader and a hands‑on contributor.

Responsibilities

• Program Capture Ownership
• Serve as the single accountable owner for all Business Development & Capture activities related to Air Force Programs, from initial opportunity identification to contract award.
• Develop, maintain, and execute a comprehensive capture plan aligned with customer priorities, competitive intelligence, and company capabilities.
• Define and drive win strategy, price‑to‑win analysis, teaming decisions, and solution shaping in coordination with technical and program teams.
• Accountable for the outcome of all capture efforts on Air Force programs - success metrics include pursuit qualification, proposal quality, and ultimate contract award.
• Maintain a long‑range view of Air Force programs procurement roadmap and proactively position the company for future opportunities including options, follow‑ons, and modifications.
• Customer Relationship Management – Air Force
• Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted relationships with key Air Force stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary company representative for BD & capture‑related customer engagements related to Air Force programs, ensuring consistent, professional, and mission‑aligned communication.
• Facilitate regular touchpoints with government counterparts to maintain situational awareness, build rapport, and reinforce the company's value proposition.
• Navigate Air Force organizational landscape to identify and engage decision‑makers, influencers, and end‑users relevant to Air Force programs.
• Represent the company at relevant Air Force conferences, industry days, site visits, and program reviews.
• Champion the customer's mission internally - translate government priorities and friction points into actionable intelligence for internal stakeholders.
• Requirements Ownership – Air Force Programs
• Own and manage all requirements shaping activities associated with Air Force programs throughout the business development lifecycle.
• Engage early with Air Force requirements officials to understand, shape, and track evolving operational and technical requirements.
• Ensure requirements are accurately captured, communicated internally, and appropriately reflected in capture strategy and solution development.
• Proactively monitor requirements documentation (e.g., RFIs, draft RFPs, SOOs, ORDs) and brief internal leadership on implications and competitive positioning.
• Coordinate with engineering, program management, and contracts teams to validate that proposed solutions are aligned with documented and anticipated Air Force program requirements.
• Flag requirements gaps, shifts, or risks early and develop mitigation strategies to protect capture posture.

This role can be based in either Washington, DC, or Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in defense Business Development, Capture Management, or Program Management with demonstrated success in the U.S. Air Force market.
• Direct experience supporting or engaging with programs at Air Force strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of USAF acquisition processes and the Department of War POM processes.
• Proven ability to own and drive a full capture lifecycle from opportunity identification through proposal submission.
• Active DoW Secret security clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust‑based relationships with senior government personnel.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Prior military service, particularly within Air Force operational or acquisition communities.
• Experience with Electronic Warfare, Weapons Systems, or Munitions programs aligned to Air Force mission areas.
• Familiarity with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and Armament Directorate (EB) organizations.
• Graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School.

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to export‑controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate's ability to access all applicable export‑controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.