Strategic Account Manager, DoD (Remote / Dallas, TX based)

Ralliant; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 126,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm is seeking a Strategic Account Manager to cultivate relationships with key customers such as U.S. Department of Defense agencies. The SAM will drive customer satisfaction and business growth while managing the execution of internal commitments. Candidates should have over 8 years of experience in account management in the defense sector, with strong communication skills and a Bachelor's degree in related fields. This role offers a competitive salary and a remote work location near Dallas, TX.

Benefits

Bonus eligibility

Competitive pay range: $126,700.00 - $235,300.00

Qualifications

• 8+ years of proven experience in account management in the defense or aerospace industry.
• Success managing relationships with U.S. Department of Defense agencies.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. defense acquisition process and contracting.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Capture demand signals and forecasts to inform pipeline and resource planning.
• Shape requirements and influence specifications during early engagement.
• Lead customer Q&A, pricing discussions, and proposal clarifications.
• Track, report, and improve account performance.

Skills

Relationship and trust building in defense environments

Customer advocacy and negotiation skills

Strategic account planning and growth mindset

Commercial and technical fluency

Risk awareness and anticipation of challenges

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field

Master's degree in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Pipeline forecasting tools

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Strategic Account Manager (SAM)

Reports To: Vice President, Commercial Operations

Location: Remote – Location near assigned customer(s) Dallas, TX (preferred)

Role Summary / Purpose Statement

The Strategic Account Manager (SAM) serves as the trusted, primary interface with key customers, including U.S. Department of Defense agencies, prime contractors, and other strategic accounts. The SAM builds deep, long-term relationships and ensures customer needs are translated into executable internal commitments that drive satisfaction and growth.

This role is critical to improving customer intimacy, eliminating fractured customer interactions, and creating a unified, customer-focused engagement model. The SAM anticipates customer needs, captures demand signals, influences requirements, and ensures the organization delivers on its commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Capture demand signals and forecasts to inform pipeline and resource planning.
• Shape requirements and influence specifications during early engagement.
• Lead customer Q&A, pricing discussions, and proposal clarifications in partnership with Proposal and Pricing teams.
• Serve as primary escalation point of contact for assigned accounts.
• Partner with Program Managers to balance customer commitments with delivery feasibility.
• Act as the voice of the customer across the organization, advocating for needs while balancing business interests.
• Track, report, and continuously improve account performance, including revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction, and contract execution.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Relationship and trust building in defense environments.
• Customer advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Strategic account planning and growth mindset.
• Commercial and technical fluency to bridge customer and internal teams.
• Risk awareness and anticipation of customer or delivery challenges.

Critical Behaviors

• Prioritizes customer intimacy while protecting company interests.
• Anticipates and surfaces customer needs/issues before they escalate.
• Partners cross-functionally with Program Management, Operations, Engineering, and Contracts.
• Communicates clearly and transparently with both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Operates with integrity and ensures compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and all applicable government contracting requirements.

Success Measures

• Forecast accuracy within ±10% of assigned customers.
• ≥90% customer satisfaction score in account-specific surveys.
• Zero surprise escalations not pre-flagged to leadership.
• Growth in share of wallet or follow-on awards within 2 years.
• On-time delivery (OTD) performance for assigned accounts.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of proven experience in account management, business development, or related role within the defense or aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated success managing relationships with U.S. Department of Defense agencies and/or prime contractors.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. defense acquisition process, contracting vehicles, and regulatory requirements (FAR/DFARS, ITAR).
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across multiple levels.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in business, engineering, or related field.
• Experience with complex capture strategies, early requirement shaping, and multi-year account planning.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and pipeline forecasting tools.
• Track record of delivering account growth (expansions, follow-on awards, or increased share of wallet).

Compliance & Culture

• Ensure all customer engagements and transactions comply with applicable regulations, including ITAR, FAR/DFARS, and other U.S. government contracting requirements.
• Maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all dealings with customers and partners.
• Model and reinforce company cultural attributes: We Win as One Team, We Unlock Growth, We Deliver with Discipline, and We Learn by Doing.

#LI-RG1

Ralliant Corporation Overview

Ralliant, originally part of Fortive, now stands as a bold, independent public company driving innovation at the forefront of precision technology. With a global footprint and a legacy of excellence, we empower engineers to bring next-generation breakthroughs to life — faster, smarter, and more reliably. Our high-performance instruments, sensors, and subsystems fuel mission-critical advancements across industries, enabling real-world impact where it matters most. At Ralliant we’re building the future, together with those driven to push boundaries, solve complex problems, and leave a lasting mark on the world.

We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Ralliant Corporation and all Ralliant Companies are proud to be equal opportunity employers. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristics protected by law. Ralliant and all Ralliant Companies are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment application process, please contact us at [e-mail].

About PacSci EMC

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC), a Ralliant Corporation operating company, makes critical missions possible. From concept to demonstration to delivery, we provide leading-edge energetic materials, devices and subsystems for use in military and commercial applications. With engineering and manufacturing capability in Arizona and California, our associates work together to solve the toughest technical challenges with a dedication to Safety First, Quality Every Time. We enable success for innumerable missions daily, impacting the lives of military personnel, law enforcement officers, commercial airline pilots, astronauts, and oil field operators. PacSci EMC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, disability, or veteran status. We do not solicit discrimination. Please note that certain roles related to sensitive national security matters may have US citizenship requirements. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination or harassment. For inclusion, diversity, and accommodation details, visit our site.

Bonus or Equity

This position is also eligible for bonus as part of the total compensation package.

Pay Range

The salary range for this position (in local currency) is 126,700.00 - 235,300.00

Is this role subject to ITAR?

The essential duties of this position require adherence to U.S. Government export control regulations. Accordingly, candidates must either be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals) or be prepared to collaborate with the company in securing the necessary U.S. government export authorizations. While the company encourages all interested applicants to apply, ongoing employment is dependent upon obtaining the appropriate government export authorizations.