Manager, Defense Growth

Saildrone; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Shared Ownership in the Mission

Retirement Savings

Investment in Your Growth

Relocation Support

Job summary

Saildrone, a maritime defense company, is seeking a Manager, Defense Growth to join the DoW Business Development team. You will lead major proposal execution, campaign management, and engagement with DoW and Congress to support Saildrone's mission.

The role requires a strategic, fast-paced professional with DoD experience and a proven ability to coordinate across internal teams and external partners. Travel up to 30% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience in defense business development, strategic pursuits, or government relations.
• Strong foundational knowledge of maritime security technologies, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance payloads, and autonomous marine systems.
• Experience working with DoW and the U.S. Navy, including an active professional network within those organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write compelling government proposals and deliver engaging presentations to military and civilian leadership.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Working knowledge of the federal budget process and familiarity with relevant DoW and U.S. Navy programs.
• Active US Security Clearance is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the full sales lifecycle across DoW and U.S. Navy, including lead generation, technical presentations, and contract coordination.
• Lead and support large, complex DoW RFI/RFP submissions and execute strategic campaigns, including developing messaging materials and delivering recurring briefings to key DoW stakeholders.
• Partner closely with Saildrone’s internal mission operations, product, and engineering teams to scope complex DoW requirements, ensuring the technical feasibility of proposed maritime missions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key industry partners and DoW clients, ensuring a smooth transition from the sales and contracting phase to mission execution.
• Gather and report on agency feedback, federal budget trends, and competitor activities to assist leadership in refining government sales strategies.
• Support government relations engagements, representing Saildrone on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and at major defense industry conferences and events to build brand awareness and cultivate strategic networks.

Skills

Defense business development

DoW/Navy experience

Security clearance

Proposal writing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

The Company

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365.

The Company

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365. Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East. By combining proven autonomous operations, edge computing, advanced sensing, renewable power, and the most advanced and robust unmanned surface technology on the planet, Saildrone is shaping how the Navy of the future operates. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the forefront of maritime security and autonomous innovation.

THE POSITION

Saildrone is seeking a Manager, Defense Growth to join our Department of War (DoW) Business Development team. Reporting directly to the Senior Director, DoW Business, you will play a critical role in supporting our highest-stakes sales and business development pursuits, driving major proposal execution, strategic campaign management, and customer and Congressional engagement. We are looking for a dynamic strategist who adapts quickly to willingly support time-bound, high-stakes requests and has a proven track record of effectively engaging with government officials and key industry partners.

THE TEAM

Saildrone’s Business Development team is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing government and commercial partnerships for Saildrone’s autonomous maritime capabilities. We work closely across the defense sector to deliver scalable ocean mapping, maritime domain awareness, and force projection solutions that power national security. Operating in close partnership with Product, Engineering, and Mission Operations teams, we translate complex DoW and Navy requirements into successful missions that perform in demanding, real-world environments.

The Responsibilities

• Support the full sales lifecycle across DoW and U.S. Navy, including lead generation, technical presentations, and contract coordination.
• Lead and support large, complex DoW RFI/RFP submissions and execute strategic campaigns, including developing messaging materials and delivering recurring briefings to key DoW stakeholders.
• Partner closely with Saildrone’s internal mission operations, product, and engineering teams to scope complex DoW requirements, ensuring the technical feasibility of proposed maritime missions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key industry partners and DoW clients, ensuring a smooth transition from the sales and contracting phase to mission execution.
• Gather and report on agency feedback, federal budget trends, and competitor activities to assist leadership in refining government sales strategies.
• Support government relations engagements, representing Saildrone on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and at major defense industry conferences and events to build brand awareness and cultivate strategic networks.

The Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience in defense business development, strategic pursuits, or government relations (scaled from Director level).
• Strong foundational knowledge of maritime security technologies, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance payloads, and autonomous marine systems.
• Experience working with DoW and the U.S. Navy, including an active professional network within those organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write compelling government proposals and deliver engaging presentations to military and civilian leadership.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with a proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Working knowledge of the federal budget process and familiarity with relevant DoW and U.S. Navy programs.
• Active US Security Clearance is highly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed on a computer and requires the ability to operate a keyboard and other peripheral devices.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time to client sites, the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and industry events.

Salary Range

$150,000—$180,000 USD

Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.

To view Saildrone's candidate privacy policy, please visit: https://www.saildrone.com/privacy-policy.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.
• Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long-term value you help create through meaningful, operational work.
• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.
• Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field.
• Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.

Saildrone is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.