The Director of Business Development for UAS Launched Effects and San Diego BD Leader is responsible for leading the growth strategy, customer engagement, and capture activities for a portfolio of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and air-launched effect (ALE) solutions for Axillon, as well as leading business development and sales operations for the San Diego site. This role identifies new opportunities across OEM, DoD, and international customers; shapes requirements; develops differentiated offerings; and partners closely with Engineering, Operations, and Finance to drive long-term business expansion. The director serves as the primary interface to customers, shaping early concepts through successful contract award.

Strategic Growth & Market Development

• Lead the development and execution of the business growth strategy for UAS launched effects, including new markets, platforms, and mission applications.
• Lead the development and execution of the business growth strategy for the San Diego site.
• Conduct market, competitive, and technology assessments to determine strategic positioning and investment needs.
• Identify emerging customer needs and convert them into actionable business opportunities.
• Build and maintain a multi-year opportunity pipeline aligned with company objectives.

Customer Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative for UAS launched effects with DoD, Air Force, Army, Navy, SOCOM, and key primes for Axillon.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative for the San Diego site, focused on civil and military engine composites, UAS and launched effects.
• Shape customer requirements in early-phase conversations to align with company capabilities and value propositions.
• Establish strong, trusted relationships with program offices, acquisition authorities, and operational users.

Capture Management & Proposal Leadership

• Lead capture efforts from opportunity identification through proposal submission and award for the San Diego site.
• Develop customer playbooks, capture plans, competitive analysis, win strategies, and pricing approaches for the UAS Launched Effects segment for all Axillon sites.
• Oversee proposal development, ensuring compliance, technical accuracy, and compelling messaging.
• Maintain accurate forecasts of bookings, revenue, production ramp opportunities, and long-term demand for composite components.
• Prepare executive-level reporting on pipeline health, bid status, and strategic customer priorities.
• Monitor key risks related to material supply, tooling readiness, qualification schedules, and rate transitions.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Finance, and Operations to align solution, cost, and schedule.

Product & Capability Alignment

• Partner with engineering and product teams to mature concepts, align development with customers, and recommend investment priorities.
• Identify technology gaps, customer mission needs, and investment opportunities to ensure product relevance.
• Identify new applications for composite materials—prepreg, resin systems, fiber architectures, OOA, RTM, autoclave, and advanced fabrication methods—that fit the site’s technical capabilities.
• Track industry trends (lightweighting, rate readiness, sustainability, high-temperature materials) to inform technology and investment decisions.
• Support product roadmaps for air-launched effects, UAS autonomy, sensors, warheads, and mission systems.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across strategy, programs, CRAD/IRAD priorities, and manufacturing capacity.
• Support gate reviews, portfolio planning, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Provide leadership updates on market trends, competitive movements, and program status.
• Collaborate with GMs on new product introduction, performance, and customer engagement.

Contracting & Negotiation

• Support contract strategy, terms and conditions, pricing structures, and negotiation preparation.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR, FAR/DFARS, customer requirements, and company policy.

External Representation

• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, technical symposia, and customer demonstrations.
• Promote the company’s capabilities and brand through professional presentations and outreach.
• Collaborate with product line leaders and operations to ensure delivery capability aligns with market opportunities.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, aerospace, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace/defense business development, program management, or strategy.
• Proven track record winning DoD new business, especially in UAS, launched effects, precision strike, or advanced weapons systems.
• Deep understanding of DoD acquisition processes, requirements development, and budget cycles.
• Experience leading capture teams and managing large, complex pursuits.
• Strong customer relationships with DoD, SOCOM, and/or major defense primes.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and executive-level briefing skills.
• Ability to travel as required (50%+).
• Technical understanding of UAS architectures, payload integration, guidance and control, or mission planning preferred.
• Experience working in a rapid prototyping or advanced technology environment preferred.
• Active DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance (or ability to obtain).

The position requires frequent travel estimated at 50%+ to Axillon locations, customers and industry events.

Required Skills

Required Experience