Defense Business Development Manager

  • Location: Greater Philadephia, Pennsylvania
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #191

Business Development Manager – Advanced Materials for Defense

Lead growth across air, land, and sea Defense programs using advanced materials and engineered solutions.

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Travel: ~50% (up to 75%)

Requirement: U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR/EAR)

Lead Growth in Advanced Materials Across Defense Programs

Our client is a global leader in high-performance advanced materials, including engineered elastomers, thermoplastics, and composite solutions used in extreme environments. They are well established in Aerospace, Energy, Semiconductor, Life Sciences, and Industrial markets — and now expanding rapidly into Defense.

This role will drive growth across air, land, sea, and unmanned systems, working directly with leading U.S. defense contractors and program teams.

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet all of the following:

  • U.S. Citizenship (required for ITAR/EAR compliance)
  • 10+ years of experience in business development, program pursuit, or strategic account management
  • Experience selling technical components, engineered solutions, or advanced materials (not commodity or aftermarket products).
  • Significant, recent experience (5+ years) selling into major U.S. defense contractors (air, land, and/or sea programs).
  • Ability to travel 50–75% for customer visits, program engagement, and industry events
  • Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering strongly preferred)

What You’ll Do

  • Build and execute market expansion plans targeting major U.S. defense contractors
  • Develop influential relationships across the Defense value chain
  • Identify early-stage opportunities and shape long-term program pursuits
  • Serve as a strategic partner across Engineering, Product, Ops, and Sales
  • Translate customer challenges into product development or capability investments
  • Lead strategic campaigns across priority DoD programs and platforms
  • Represent our client at key industry events and defense conferences
  • Provide competitive, market, and application intelligence to guide strategy

What You Bring

U.S. Citizenship (Required):

Necessary for ITAR/EAR compliance.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required; Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Materials) preferred.

Experience:

  • 10+ years in business development, account management, or program capture
  • Strong experience selling into defense contractors (air, land, sea)
  • Background spanning Defense + Aerospace preferred
  • Experience selling engineered solutions or component-level technologies
  • Familiarity with elastomers, thermoplastics, composites, or advanced polymer systems a plus 

Leadership & Collaboration:

  • Proven ability to align cross-functional teams
  • Track record influencing Engineering, R&D, Product, and Operations
  • Strong communication and technical literacy

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $165–$180K (flexible for top talent)
  • Bonus: $50k (annual target) 
  • Vehicle Program: Lease or cash allowance (valid drivers license is required)
  • PTO: 20 days
  • Full benefits package

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Drug-Free Workplace

Employment is contingent upon compliant pre-employment drug screening and background checks.

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