Strategic BD Director, Advanced Manufacturing & Defense

LIFT; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LIFT, based in the United States, seeks a Director of Business Development to lead strategic growth across defense, industrial, and mobility sectors. This role requires deep engineering credibility to translate complex requirements into partnerships and customer relationships.

It leads opportunity capture, proposal strategy, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, program management, and gov't partners to secure project-based funding and accelerate commercialization of advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Applied Sciences required; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
• Substantial foundational engineering experience before transitioning to BD; deep technical credibility with clients.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets by selling complex engineering services and R&D.

Responsibilities

• Seek, develop, and sustain relationships that drive project-based business to LIFT, focusing on engineering services and applied R&D.
• Review technical challenges with potential customers to address their needs using a strong engineering background.
• Match LIFT’s disciplines with industry problems to create solutions and build trust with clients.
• Manage all technical sales aspects for commercial and government customers, including proposal writing, scoping, and pipeline management.

Skills

Engineering foundation

Sales experience

Industry knowledge

Execution

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Applied Sciences

MBA or advanced technical degree

Job description

LIFT, based in the United States, seeks a Director of Business Development to lead strategic growth across defense, industrial, and mobility sectors. This role requires deep engineering credibility to translate complex requirements into partnerships and customer relationships.

It leads opportunity capture, proposal strategy, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, program management, and gov't partners to secure project-based funding and accelerate commercialization of advanced