Director of Business Development

Viridian Space Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Viridian Space Corporation in El Segundo, California seeks a Director of Business Development to drive growth by articulating propulsion advantages to DoD and commercial customers. You will own the capture process, build relationships across defense and space ecosystems, and translate complex tech into compelling proposals and capability statements.

This leadership role demands strategic vision, technical fluency, and autonomous execution to secure programs and expand market presence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in aerospace/defense business development or related deep-tech startups.
• Proven capability to win DoD contracts and SBIRs/BAAs/OTAs.
• Foundational understanding of space systems and propulsion.
• Ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance (US Person).

Responsibilities

• Navigate defense networks to cultivate relationships and identify mission requirements.
• Own end-to-end capture, storytelling, and proposals for government solicitations including SBIRs/BAAs/OTAs.
• Develop commercial pipeline with satellite operators and launch providers.
• Translate propulsion specs into pitches and capability statements.

Skills

Business development

Proposal writing

Technical sales

Space systems knowledge

Job description

Viridian Space Corporation is an early-stage space technology startup located in El Segundo (Los Angeles), California. Viridian’s mission is to commercialize a new generation of agile, refuellable satellites and to unlock commercial access to Very Low Earth Orbits, far below where traditional Low Earth Orbit satellites fly. We are looking for energetic and talented people to join our team to push our technology forward.

The Role

As the Director of Business Development, you will own our growth engine. You will project our technical advantages in propulsion, reusability, and low-altitude operations into winning programs. This role bridges two distinct domains: navigating the complex defense acquisition landscape (DoD, USSF, SDA, DIU) and building relationships with commercial constellations, launch providers, and tier-1 primes. This is a highly autonomous role requiring a mix of strategic vision, technical fluency, and hands‑on execution—from hunting down commercial leads to writing winning federal proposals.

Key Responsibilities

• Defense Capture & Network Building: Navigate the DoD, U.S. Space Force (USSF), Space Development Agency (SDA), DIU, and AFRL networks to cultivate relationships, identify mission requirements for VLEO/maneuver warfare, and secure program line items.
• Proposal & SBIR/STTR Ownership: Own the end-to-end capture, technical storytelling, and proposal writing process for government solicitations, including SBIR/STTR (Phase I, II, and III), STRATFI/TACFI, OTAs, and Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs).
• Commercial Pipeline Development: Identify, pursue, and close commercial hardware sales and technology integrations with satellite operators, megaconstellation developers, and launch providers seeking advanced propulsion solutions.
• Strategic Positioning: Translate complex propulsion specs and VLEO mission benefits (e.g., lower latency, higher resolution, maneuverability on demand) into high-impact pitches, white papers, and capability statements.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of business development, capture management, or technical sales experience within the aerospace, defense, or deep-tech startup sectors.
• Proposal Mastery: Proven track record of personally writing, managing, and winning DoD contracts and non-dilutive funding mechanisms (specifically Phase II/III SBIRs, BAAs, or OTAs).
• Technical Fluency: Foundational understanding of space systems, satellite architectures, and spacecraft propulsion. Experience explaining the unique operational economics of VLEO or reusable hardware is highly valued.
• Clearance & Eligibility: This position will require obtaining and maintaining DoD Secret clearance. Jobs restricted by these regulations are contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person and good standing with the law. (Active clearance preferred).