Senior Manager, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense

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

Senior Manager, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense

Job Description

Senior Manager, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense

Location: Cypress, CA (Hybrid)

Build the Future of Space & Defense Technology

Are you a strategic business development professional with a passion for aerospace, defense, and cutting-edge technology? This is an exciting opportunity to help drive growth in a high-impact electronic components business, connecting innovative solutions with customers shaping the future of space exploration, satellite communications, and defense systems.

We're looking for a Manager, Business Development who thrives on building relationships, identifying new opportunities, and turning strategic partnerships into meaningful business growth. In this role, you'll help expand our presence across commercial, government, and international markets while working with high-reliability microelectronic components used in mission-critical space and defense applications.

If you're a relationship builder, strategic thinker, and motivated sales professional who enjoys winning new business, this could be your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What You'll Do

• Drive Business Growth: Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities across commercial, government, defense, and space markets.
• Build Strategic Partnerships: Leverage your industry connections to establish trusted relationships with key customers, OEMs, prime contractors, and government organizations.
• Shape the Future of Space: Develop relationships with spacecraft, launch vehicle, satellite, and subsystem manufacturers.
• Lead Market Expansion: Create and execute strategic account plans targeting both established and emerging space exploration and observation programs.
• Win New Business: Lead or support capture strategies, proposal development, and negotiations for high-value business opportunities.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with engineering, program management, quality, marketing, and finance teams to deliver solutions aligned with customer needs.
• Stay Ahead of the Market: Monitor customer acquisition strategies, program funding, contracting processes, and competitive trends to uncover new opportunities.
• Represent the Business: Attend industry trade shows, conferences, and customer meetings to showcase the electronic components portfolio and strengthen customer relationships.
• Influence Strategy: Share customer insights to help shape marketing campaigns, industry event participation, and long-term business development initiatives.
• Track Results: Maintain visibility into sales opportunities, pipeline growth, and business development performance.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in business development, sales, or program capture within aerospace, electronics, defense, or related technology industries.
• Strong understanding of EEE components, including integrated circuits, diodes, transistors, connectors, and other critical electronic components.
• Demonstrated 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 customer organizations are highly preferred.
• Familiarity with DoD procurement processes, government contracting, and international export compliance (ITAR and EAR).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for a U.S. Secret clearance.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.

Why This Opportunity?

• Make an Impact: Contribute to technologies supporting critical space, defense, and aerospace applications.
• Drive Innovation: Help bring advanced electronic component solutions to new customers and emerging markets.
• Build Your Network: Engage with industry leaders, strategic customers, and key government and commercial partners.
• Own Your Growth: Play a meaningful role in expanding business opportunities and shaping long-term market strategy.

Additional Requirements

This position requires compliance with a Drug-Free Workplace Program. Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening. Additional testing may apply in accordance with company policy and applicable federal requirements.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Ready to take your business development career to the next level and help shape the future of aerospace and defense technology? We'd love to hear from you!

TalentBridge employees are eligible for many benefit offerings such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) and holiday pay!