Senior Director, Business Development (International)

Edge Autonomy; United States; On-site; USD 161,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matching 401(k)

Paid PTO

Paid holidays

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disable

HSA and FSA Options

Critical Care Plan

Accident Care Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Redwire Defense Tech in the United States seeks a Senior Director of Business Development to lead international growth for UAS and advanced sensor solutions across Europe and the Middle East. You will build strategic relationships, pursue major programs, and drive proposals with cross‑functional teams to secure successful transitions.

The role requires a proven track record in large program execution, revenue delivery, and the ability to manage sales teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years in international business development or defense sales.
• Experience engaging with NATO and European/Middle Eastern defense customers.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and manage sales channels.
• Proven success in winning international defense programs and complex pursuits.
• Knowledge of foreign government procurement regulations and export controls (ITAR).
• Experience with FMS and Direct Commercial Sales frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop international growth strategies for Europe, the Middle East, and allied nations.
• Drive capture of major international defense programs and maintain CRM pipeline.
• Cultivate relationships with NATO procurement offices and national defense customers.
• Lead as program lead for early-stage international accounts before PM transfer.
• Lead responses to international solicitations, coordinating with engineering and pricing.
• Provide market intelligence on NATO modernization and procurement cycles.
• Coordinate international demonstrations and capability showcases.
• Foster partnerships with international industry primes and tech partners.
• Travel internationally 30% or more for engagements and events.

Skills

International business development

Defense sales

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic capture

Negotiation with international clients

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/International Relations/Engineering

MBA or related master's

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Description

WORK LOCATION:

FLSA STATUS:

SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $161,100 to $225,500 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.

SUMMARY

Redwire Defense Tech is seeking a Senior Director of Business Development to lead international growth for UAS and advanced sensor solutions across Europe and the Middle East. This role focuses on building strategic relationships, developing pursuits, and securing major programs with foreign allied nation defense ministries and NATO agencies. The Senior Director will operate in a fast-paced, global environment, managing international engagements, shaping strategic captures, and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure successful program acquisition and transition. Must have proven track record of successful execution of large programs with demonstrable revenues and the ability to manage sales teams. The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Business Development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

• Develop and execute international business growth strategies and account plans focused on Europe, the Middle East, NATO, and allied nations.
• Shape, pursue, and drive capture of major international defense programs; maintain CRM pipeline accuracy and provide weekly leadership updates.
• Cultivate senior-level relationships with NATO procurement offices, European MODs, Middle Eastern defense customers, and key industry partners.
• Serve as initial program lead for newly developed international accounts and early-phase program wins prior to transition to Program Management.
• Lead proposal responses to international solicitations, RFPs, RFIs, and tenders, coordinating closely with engineering, supply chain, and pricing teams.
• Provide strategic market intelligence and competitive assessments related to NATO modernization initiatives, allied nation procurement cycles, and emerging defense needs.
• Coordinate international demonstrations, field evaluations, and capability showcases with NATO and foreign defense end users.
• Drive partnership development with international industry primes and technology partners to strengthen competitive positioning.
• Travel internationally (30%+) for customer engagements, trade shows, demonstrations, and industry events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Engineering, or a related technical or strategic field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in international business development, defense sales, or strategic capture.
• Proven experience engaging with NATO procurement agencies, European Ministries of Defense, or Middle Eastern defense customers.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with teams and manage sales channels
• Track record of winning international defense programs and managing complex multinational pursuits.
• Demonstrated expertise navigating foreign government procurement regulations, international financing, and commercial risk mitigation.
• Expert command of U.S. export control regulations (ITAR) and dual-track execution across Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) frameworks.
• Strong understanding of UAS platforms, mission payloads, advanced sensors, and international defense acquisition frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead and negotiate international teaming agreements and partnership arrangements.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with senior international defense stakeholders.
• Ability to travel internationally up to or above 30%; passport required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a master’s in engineering, international affairs, or global security studies.
• Established relationships within NATO agencies or major European/Middle Eastern defense procurement offices.
• Prior international military or government civilian experience supporting allied defense programs.
• Experience with global CRM and capture tools (e.g., Salesforce) and familiarity with foreign government and NATO tender portals.
• Formal capture/proposal training (Shipley or equivalent).

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS

• Matching 401(k)
• Paid PTO
• Paid holidays
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• HSA and FSA Options
• Critical Care Plan
• Accident Care Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able lift up to 30 pounds as needed.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an “At-Will” basis.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.