Business Development Director - Defense

Orca-AI

$120K — $150K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in defense and government sectors
  • Proven record of closing complex federal defense contracts
  • Experience in startup environments with an emphasis on innovation and process building
  • Must be based in the USA
  • Maritime/naval expertise is a strong plus

Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end sales cycle for major government and defense contracts
  • Identify and penetrate new market segments within the DoD and federal government
  • Build and manage strategic relationships to drive revenue
  • Translate complex government requirements into actionable feedback for product teams

Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape the future of defense and government tech
  • Engagement in high-stakes projects with national importance
  • Work in a dynamic, high-growth startup environment
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and innovation
Full Job Description
Description

We are looking for a high-impact Business Development Director to lead our growth within the defense and government sectors in the USA. This is a role for a closer - someone who possesses the strategic "startup hustle" to navigate emerging tech landscapes and the professional "defense-sector polish" to seal high-stakes federal contracts.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of securing wins with the Department of Defense (DoD) and thrives in high-growth, venture-backed environments.

The Mission

As the Director of Business Development, you will be the primary engine for our market expansion. You won't just be "opening doors" or managing partnerships; you will own the entire lifecycle of the deal-from initial capture and strategic positioning to final contract closing.

Must-Have Requirements

  • Experience: 8+ years of professional experience, with a heavy focus on the defense and government sectors.
  • Deal Ownership: A documented history of closing complex deals with federal and defense customers.
  • The Startup Edge: Direct experience working within a startup environment. You understand how to build processes where they don't exist and move at the speed of innovation.
  • Location: Must be based in the United States.


Nice-to-Have

  • Maritime/Naval Expertise: Specific experience in shipbuilding, naval systems, autonomous maritime contexts, or maritime defense is a significant plus.
  • Growth Pedigree: Previous roles at venture-backed, high-growth defense tech companies.
  • Strategic Scope: Demonstrated experience as a Director or Senior IC owning capture efforts, strategic partnerships, and new business wins.
  • Career Stability: A history of sustained tenure and professional growth within organizations (we value "builders" over "hoppers").


Key Responsibilities

  • Lead Capture & Closing: Own the end-to-end sales cycle for major government and defense contracts.
  • Strategic Growth: Identify and penetrate new market segments within the DoD and federal government.
  • Partnership Architecture: Build and manage strategic relationships that lead directly to revenue and mission success.
  • Market Intelligence: Translate complex government requirements into actionable product feedback for our engineering and product teams.

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