Technical Growth & Partnerships Manager

Blue Signal Search; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Signal is seeking a Technical Growth & Partnerships Manager to expand strategic customer relationships in the aerospace and defense sector, translating customer needs into actionable growth strategies and coordinating with engineering, commercial, and operations teams to pursue opportunities.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in aerospace/defense, a technical background, and a proven record in developing strategic relationships and driving revenue.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of aerospace and defense experience with technical or engineering background.
• Proven success in strategic customer relationships and growth opportunities.
• Experience managing BD pipelines and driving orders/bookings.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate relationships with key customers and partners to uncover needs and develop opportunities.
• Manage a pipeline of opportunities considering government funding and acquisition cycles.
• Partner with engineering, commercial, and operations to develop practical solutions.
• Monitor industry developments and guide strategic market positioning.
• Communicate opportunities and recommendations to customers and leadership.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to advance opportunities from evaluation to development.

Skills

Strategic relationships

Business development

Pipeline management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical judgment

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Additional Candidate Locations: Candidates residing in Huntsville, AL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ; Orlando, FL; or Moorpark, CA may be considered.

Our client, an established organization serving the aerospace and defense industry, is seeking a Technical Growth & Partnerships Manager to expand strategic customer relationships, identify new revenue opportunities, and support long-term commercial success. This position is ideal for a technically knowledgeable business development professional who understands complex defense programs and can translate customer needs into actionable growth strategies.

The successful candidate will combine engineering insight, commercial judgment, and relationship-building expertise to pursue opportunities across a technically sophisticated market. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate with diverse internal teams, influence business priorities, and contribute directly to the organization’s continued success.

This Role Offers

• Competitive annual base salary, depending on qualifications, experience, and other applicable factors.
• Eligibility for performance-based incentive compensation under applicable company plans.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, along with retirement benefits.
• Paid vacation, company holidays, and additional eligible leave benefits.
• Life and disability insurance coverage, employee assistance programs, and wellness resources.
• A collaborative environment with opportunities to contribute to technically complex aerospace and defense initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate relationships with key customers and industry partners to uncover business needs and develop opportunities for continued engagement.
• Evaluate prospective business initiatives, maintaining an organized pipeline of opportunities while considering government funding cycles and acquisition requirements.
• Partner with engineering, commercial, and operational stakeholders to develop practical solutions that address customer objectives.
• Monitor industry developments, competitive activity, and customer priorities to guide strategic planning and market positioning.
• Communicate business opportunities, proposed approaches, and commercial recommendations to customers and internal leadership.
• Develop initiatives that improve competitive positioning, support profitable revenue generation, and expand customer commitments.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to advance prospective opportunities from initial evaluation through commercial development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of professional experience within aerospace and defense, supported by technical education, engineering experience, or a combination of both.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic customer relationships and identifying opportunities for sustained business growth.
• Experience overseeing business development pipelines and contributing to measurable increases in customer orders or bookings.
• Familiarity with defense industry procurement practices, customer requirements, and the factors influencing government-funded programs.
• Ability to collaborate across technical and commercial teams while presenting complex information to varied audiences.
• Strong analytical judgment, communication skills, and the ability to use market information to evaluate and advance business opportunities.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning executive search firm specializing in connecting talented professionals with leading organizations across a variety of industries. Our recruiters are committed to helping candidates identify opportunities that align with their experience, career goals, and professional aspirations.