Senior Business Development Manager

Steward Machine Co., Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term career growth

Family-owned company

Working on challenging projects

Job summary

Steward Machine Co., Inc. in Birmingham, AL is looking for a Senior Business Development Manager to expand its reach in heavy industrial projects. The ideal candidate will identify and secure new business opportunities while collaborating closely with engineering and operations teams.

Qualifications include a strong technical background, exceptional communication skills, and over 5 years of experience in business development. This full-time position is on-site and offers a chance to work on high-impact infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience in business development within heavy industrial sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of heavy fabrication and machining.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in heavy industrial sectors.
• Develop relationships with key clients and government agencies.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop strategies.

Skills

Business development

Technical understanding of fabrication

Negotiation skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Business

Tools

Excel

Bluebeam

ERP systems

Job description

Senior Business Development Manager – Heavy Industrial Projects

Location: Birmingham, AL (On-site) Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt Reports To: [Title] Company: Steward Machine Company, Inc.

About Steward Machine

Steward Machine Company is a leader in heavy fabrication, machining, and complex industrial solutions. With over a century of experience delivering high-quality work on movable bridges, aerospace components, lock and dam gates, hydropower projects, and defense systems, we take pride in tackling some of the most challenging and technically demanding projects in industry.

As the world's largest manufacturer of movable bridge machinery and a family-owned, multi-generational, HUBZone-certified business, Steward is dedicated to reshaping American infrastructure with a commitment to quality and on‑time delivery.

Position Overview

Steward Machine is seeking a driven and strategic Senior Business Development Manager to expand our footprint across large‑scale industrial and infrastructure markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities while working closely with estimating, engineering, and operations teams to position Steward for success on complex projects.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical understanding with a proactive, relationship‑focused mindset, someone who thrives on uncovering opportunities, building partnerships, and guiding projects from initial pursuit through contract award.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across heavy industrial sectors including movable bridges, lock and dam systems, hydropower, aerospace, and defense.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients, government agencies, contractors, and industry partners.
• Lead opportunity strategy, including market research, competitive analysis, and positioning for bids and proposals.
• Collaborate with estimating and engineering teams to develop winning strategies, pricing approaches, and technical solutions.
• Review project plans, specifications, and requirements to align business development strategy with execution capabilities.
• Support and participate in proposal development, bid reviews, and customer presentations.
• Track and manage opportunities through CRM systems and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective work.
• Monitor industry trends, procurement platforms, and government contracting opportunities (including FAR/DFAR environments).
• Identify risks, value engineering opportunities, and differentiators to enhance proposal competitiveness.
• Represent Steward Machine at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

Required:

• 5–10+ years of experience in business development, estimating, project management, or sales within heavy industrial, manufacturing, or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of heavy fabrication, machining, welding, and large assembly projects.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications to support opportunity development.
• Experience working with estimating tools and collaborating on cost development (Excel, Bluebeam, ERP systems).
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and pursue new opportunities through market research and industry networks.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFAR and government contracting processes.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• Experience with projects such as movable bridges, lock and dam systems, hydropower, or aerospace manufacturing.
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience working in or closely with fabrication shops or manufacturing environments.
• Established network within infrastructure, government, or industrial markets.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, results‑driven approach to winning work.
• Ability to bridge technical and commercial perspectives to drive successful outcomes.
• Strong ownership mentality, driven to see opportunities through from identification to contract award.

Physical Requirements and Travel

• Ability to visit active manufacturing facilities, fabrication shops, and project sites, which may require standing, walking, and climbing stairs or ladders.
• Estimated travel of [TBD__]%, including visits to client locations, project sites, and industry events.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required in shop and field environments.

Why Steward Machine

• Work on some of the most challenging and visible infrastructure and industrial projects in the country.
• Join the world's largest manufacturer of movable bridge machinery.
• Be part of a skilled, hands‑on team that values craftsmanship and precision.
• Long‑term career growth with a family‑owned company with over a century of manufacturing excellence.

Steward Machine Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

Steward Machine participates in E‑Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization.