Senior Sales Manager

Safran Federal Systems; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Federal Systems in the DMV region is seeking a results-driven Sales Manager to lead strategy across all product lines. You will identify customer needs, build relationships with government agencies, prime contractors, and OEMs, and drive territory growth through strategic pursuits and accurate forecasting.

The role requires extensive aerospace and defense knowledge, strong negotiation and presentation skills, and the ability to travel up to 60% within the U.S.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace/defense sales, business development or account management.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; combination of education and experience considered.
• Prior military experience and defense Industry knowledge are a plus.
• Ability to obtain active security clearance is preferred.
• Strong English communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Experience with complex sales cycles and CRM systems (Salesforce).

Responsibilities

• Identify customer program requirements through interactive selling techniques.
• Establish relationships with government agencies, primes and OEMs.
• Drive sales growth by pursuing new opportunities and closing deals.
• Support industry events to align capabilities with customer needs.
• Develop territory plan aligned with customer missions and challenges.
• Forecast sales accurately and communicate results to leadership.
• Collaborate with engineering, product development and operations.
• Ensure compliance with export controls and government regulations.
• Travel within the U.S. up to 60% to meet customers.

Skills

Sales experience

A&D industry knowledge

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation skills

Account management

Lead generation

CRM software

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree preferred in Business or Engineering

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

This position will be responsible for developing sales strategy and driving sales growth across all product lines within the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) Territory.

Our Technology:

Safran Federal Systems provides Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (R-PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Safran Federal Systems is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies.

How I will contribute:

• Identify customer program requirements through interactive selling techniques and a thorough understanding of SFS capabilities
• Establish and develop relationships with key stakeholders at strategic customers including government agencies, prime contractors and OEMs
• Drive Sales growth by identifying new pursuits and executing pursuit strategy to close new business in line with territory quota
• Support industry trade shows and government-hosted Industry Days to ensure SFS capabilities are aligned with customer trends and requirements
• Develop and execute territory plan aligned with customers’ mission, technical challenges and CONOPS, with the ability to build and convey compelling value propositions of Safran Federal Systems' capabilities.
• Identify new business opportunities through market research, networking, and attending industry events.
• Manage accurate sales forecasting models that enable the organization to prioritize resources
• Communicate customer feedback to internal stakeholders and work closely with Engineering and Customer Support to resolve customer issues
• Understand and anticipate client needs, providing tailored solutions to ensuring excellent levels of service delivery.
• Conduct presentations and negotiations with clients to secure contracts and close business.
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop promotional materials and strategies to support sales efforts.
• Work cross functionally with engineering, product line development, and operations to ensure the successful delivery of products.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements including export control laws, and government regulations relevant to the aerospace and defense sector.
• Provide regular sales forecasts, reports and updates to senior management.
• Travel within the U.S. required (up to 60%)

What you bring to the role:

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, business development, or account management in the aerospace and defense industry is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred with a concentration in Business or Engineering. A combination of education and experience will be considered including applicable military service.
• Prior military experience and intimate knowledge of US Defense industry preferred
• The ability and willingness to obtain an active security clearance is preferred.
• Requires the ability to perform under minimal supervision remotely.
• Demonstrated track record utilizing superior customer service skills to advance sales capabilities to external customers.
• Proven track record of success in sales and business development, with a focus on achieving or exceeding targets.
• Strong understanding of aerospace and defense products, technologies and market conditions.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Proven track record of managing complex sales cycles.
• Ability to handle complex problems with analytical thinking skills and engage with customers enthusiastically.
• Demonstrated track record of progressive leadership.
• Experience working with Salesforce or a similar CRM system
• The ability to observe details at close range.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to accurately exchange information in these situations.
• Ability to be agile and have fun!

About Safran Federal Systems:

Safran Federal Systems has been awarded as a Winner of the USA Today and Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2026 Award.

In 2022, Safran acquired Orolia, now Safran Trusted 4D, the world leader in Resilient PNT. At the intersection of critical infrastructure and national defense, Safran Trusted 4D solutions govern and protect the integrity of systems that shape the world. In early 2019, Orolia Defense & Security spun off as a separate entity from its parent company Orolia, with the mission of providing resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Defense organizations, and their contractors.

In August of 2019, Safran Federal Systems acquired Talen-X, a U.S. company specializing in advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Simulation solutions and Interference, Detection, and Mitigation (IDM) technologies. Talen-X's portfolio was an ideal fit and has helped to enhance Safran FS's overall offerings. The acquisition enabled Talen-X's existing resources, operations, and capabilities to be scaled and accelerated to better support the warfighter. Read the press release here.

Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). As such, Safran FS Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.