Senior Business Development Manager

Element Six; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Six is seeking a commercially driven Senior Business Development Manager to identify and secure long-term growth opportunities for our diamond-based technologies across semiconductor, industrial, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

You will build strategic partnerships, engage senior decision-makers, shape market entry strategies, and develop business models that maximize value, while collaborating with R&D, product, and commercial teams to drive opportunities from concept to

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in sales or business development for industrial applications with contract negotiations
• 5+ years’ experience in the semiconductor industry
• MBA preferred; Engineering/Science degree required
• US citizen or Green Card holder; willingness to travel up to 50% of the time

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new market opportunities for Element Six's diamond-based technologies.
• Build networks across semiconductor, industrial, defense, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems.
• Develop business cases and growth strategies to support investments.
• Lead engagement, presentations, negotiations, and relationship development with executive stakeholders.
• Structure partnerships, supply agreements, and licensing arrangements to maximize long-term value.
• Establish and manage industry advisory relationships to strengthen market intelligence.
• Collaborate with R&D, product development, operations, and commercial teams to align market requirements with technology roadmaps.
• Deliver annual opportunity development and market penetration plans.

Skills

BD experience

Semiconductor experience

Gov contracts

Communication

Writing Skills

Accountability

Self-starter

Travel up to 50%

Location flexibility

Education

Engineering or Science degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Company Description

Element Six (E6) is seeking a commercially driven and strategically minded Senior Business Development Manager to identify, develop, and secure new long-term growth opportunities for our advanced synthetic diamond and supermaterials technologies. This role will focus on expanding the adoption of E6 solutions across high-growth industrial sectors, with a particular emphasis on semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, defense and emerging technology applications.

Acting as the bridge between market opportunities and technical innovation, the successful candidate will identify new applications, build strategic partnerships, and engage senior decision-makers to create sustainable revenue growth. Working closely with technology, product management, and commercial teams, you will shape market entry strategies, influence investment decisions, and develop business models that maximize long-term value creation.

This is a highly visible role requiring the ability to navigate complex technical and commercial environments, build credibility with C-suite stakeholders, and drive opportunities from concept through to commercial agreement.

Job Description

Identify and develop new market opportunities and strategic customer relationships for Element Six's diamond-based technologies.

• Build strong networks across semiconductor, industrial, defense, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems to identify emerging trends and unmet market needs.
• Develop compelling business cases and growth strategies to support investment and resource prioritization.
• Lead engagement, presentations, negotiations, and relationship development with executive-level customer stakeholders.
• Structure and negotiate strategic partnerships, supply agreements, licensing arrangements, and other commercial models that maximize long-term value.
• Establish and manage industry advisory relationships to strengthen market intelligence and strategic positioning.
• Collaborate with R&D, product development, operations, and commercial teams to align market requirements with technology roadmaps.
• Deliver annual opportunity development and market penetration plans aligned with E6's strategic growth objectives.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years’ experience in sales or business development for industrial applications/customers, including contract negotiations
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science; MBA preferred
• At least 5 years’ experience in the semiconductor industry
• Experience with Defense/US Government contracts preferred
• US citizen or Green Card holder
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Demonstrated track record with high level of accountability and substantial, on-going results
• Demonstrated track record as self-starter with significant individual initiative
• Willing and able to travel up to 50% of time
• Ideally based near Santa Clara, Houston or Portland.

Additional Information

• Proven business development or strategic sales professional with experience in complex industrial or technology-driven markets.
• Strong understanding of the semiconductor value chain and advanced materials ecosystem.
• Comfortable engaging with executive stakeholders, government agencies, and strategic partners.
• Ability to navigate complex, long-cycle sales opportunities.
• Able to combine technical understanding, commercial acumen, and strategic thinking to create new growth opportunities.
• Commercially astute with experience negotiating high-value agreements.
• Comfortable working globally and travelling extensively to engage customers and partners.
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and highly effective at operating in ambiguous, emerging markets.