Senior BD Leader — Space & Defense Growth

Employee Relations Associates, Inc.; Cypress, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Short-term disability

401(k)

Holiday pay

Job summary

Employee Relations Associates, Inc. in Cypress, CA (Hybrid) seeks a Senior Manager, Business Development for Aerospace & Defense to drive growth across commercial, government, and international markets, building strategic partnerships with OEMs, primes, and customers.

You will identify opportunities, lead capture and proposals for high-value programs, and collaborate with engineering, program management, quality, marketing, and finance. Must have 5+ years in BD in aerospace/defense and U.S.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in business development, sales, or program capture in aerospace, electronics, defense, or related tech industries.
• Strong understanding of EEE components (ICs, diodes, transistors, connectors).
• Proven success building customer relationships, managing complex sales cycles, and closing multi-million-dollar opportunities.
• Existing relationships within aerospace, defense, space, OEM, prime contractor, or government customers preferred.
• Familiarity with DoD procurement, government contracting, ITAR/EAR.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• U.S. Citizenship and eligible for a U.S. Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and secure new business across commercial, government, defense, and space markets.
• Develop strategic partnerships with customers, OEMs, prime contractors, and government bodies.
• Shape the future of space by engaging spacecraft, launch vehicle, and satellite manufacturers.
• Lead strategic account plans and pursue high-value opportunities.
• Support capture strategies, proposals, and negotiations for major programs.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, quality, marketing, and finance teams.
• Monitor market trends, funding, contracting, and opportunities.
• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and customer meetings.
• Provide customer insights to guide marketing and events.
• Track sales pipeline and BD performance.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Relationship management

Negotiation

Travel

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business

MBA preferred

Job description

Employee Relations Associates, Inc. in Cypress, CA (Hybrid) seeks a Senior Manager, Business Development for Aerospace & Defense to drive growth across commercial, government, and international markets, building strategic partnerships with OEMs, primes, and customers.

You will identify opportunities, lead capture and proposals for high-value programs, and collaborate with engineering, program management, quality, marketing, and finance. Must have 5+ years in BD in aerospace/defense and U.S.