Head of Business Development – Defense

Machina Labs, Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

PTO

Stock Options

Job summary

Machina Labs, Inc. is seeking a Head of Business Development – Defense to drive growth across advanced U.S. defense programs. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience and established connections within the defense acquisition ecosystem, aiming to integrate advanced manufacturing solutions into weapon systems.

This strategic role involves developing partnerships with key decision-makers and leading comprehensive business development strategies across defense initiatives, targeting advanced strike systems and critical program developments.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of business development, capture, or program leadership experience within the defense ecosystem.
• Current Active Secret DoD security clearance or ability to obtain Top Secret Clearance.
• Comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a high-growth environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead defense business development strategy across missiles and UAV programs.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key defense stakeholders.
• Drive education and positioning of Machina Labs within the defense community.

Skills

Business development experience

Defense acquisition relationships

Strategic growth planning

Advanced manufacturing technologies

Government partnership building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

About Machina Labs

Engineering moves at software speed. Manufacturing doesn't. Yet.

Machina Labs is changing that. We build intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years.

Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we're building the manufacturing infrastructure that defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs will run on.

If you want to work on hard problems that matter and see them fly, drive, and defend, this is the place.

Job Description

Machina Labs is seeking a Head of Business Development – Defense to scale our engagements and partnerships across advanced U.S. defense programs. This strategic, well-connected leader will advance our relationships with relevant Department of War (DoW) acquisition organizations and associated primes, driving qualification and production programs for complex metal structural assemblies.

This role is focused on embedding Machina’s advanced manufacturing solutions into mission‑critical weapon systems by building trusted relationships and partnerships with senior DoW and Prime decision‑makers, Program Offices, innovation organizations, and government stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of introducing and scaling advanced manufacturing technologies within the defense acquisition ecosystem. This individual must command credibility with executive stakeholders and be comfortable driving long‑cycle opportunities from early feasibility and prototyping through qualification and full‑rate production.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Strategic Defense Growth:

• Lead Machina’s defense business development strategy across missiles, hypersonics, UAV, and USV programs.
• Unlock partnerships for feasibility, qualification, LRIP, and full‑rate production programs for structural assemblies.
• Target programs involving advanced strike systems and new platform development.

Penetrate and Expand DoW & Prime Relationships:

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior executives, program managers, engineering leaders, manufacturing leads, and supply chain decision‑makers at major Defense Primes, emerging defense companies and relevant DoW acquisition organizations.
• Understand and influence funding pathways tied to testing, qualification, and production ramp into Programs of Record.

Lead Defense Community Education & Thought Leadership:

• Drive education and positioning of Machina as trusted mission partner to the defense community through industry events and congressional briefings.
• Serve as a visible industry thought leader, participating in panels, roundtables, and defense innovation forums.
• Expand Machina’s influence and credibility within the national security ecosystem, helping shape how defense stakeholders think about AI‑enabled manufacturing.

Required Background & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 10+ years of business development, capture, or program leadership experience within the defense ecosystem.
• Strong executive‑level Prime and DoW relationships tied to relevant strike weapon platforms such as JASSM, LRASM, Tomahawk, CPS, HACM, LRHW, low‑cost munitions or similar platforms.
• Current Active Secret DoD security clearance or ability to obtain and retain Top Secret Clearance within 365 days from submission.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% annually.
• Trusted operator with long‑cycle strategic BD experience; more architect of growth than transactional sales leader.
• Comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a high‑growth environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, MBA, Strategy, or related field.
• Professional Military Education (PME), DAU certification, or equivalent experience.
• Prior military or DoW civilian acquisition experience.
• Experience leading early‑stage BD in a startup or dual‑use advanced manufacturing company.
• Background in advanced manufacturing, structural assemblies, or complex metal fabrication.

Compensation

$250,000 - $320,000 a year. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. This role may be filled in multiple locations, and compensation may vary depending on the candidate’s work location in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws. In addition to the provided base salary range, comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), PTO, and Stock Options.

Machina Labs is an affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with state and federal law.

We endeavor to make the job application process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process and would like to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at (888)444‑9777. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, not to inquire about the status of applications.