Business Development Director

Intellisense Systems Inc

$225K — $250K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years in business development or industrial sales in complex technical environments.
  • Proven track record of contracts worth $1M-$20M+ related to sensing and embedded technologies.
  • Familiarity with DoD procurement processes and ITAR compliance.
  • Strong proposal development/writing and negotiation skills.
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills for engaging senior stakeholders.
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Drive a data-driven pipeline for new and follow-on business in defense and commercial sectors.
  • Own the full capture strategy from requirements shaping to contract award.
  • Cultivate trusted relationships with senior military and program office leaders.
  • Conduct strategic planning and market analysis for upcoming programs.
  • Represent Intellisense at key industry events and trade shows to gather insights.
  • Maintain and report on account portfolios with precision.
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% for customer engagement and events.

Benefits

  • 4 Weeks of PTO annually, plus 10 paid holidays.
  • 401(k) with 100% employer match up to 4%, no vesting period.
  • Multiple health insurance options including Medical, Vision, and Dental.
  • Health and Flexible Spending Accounts available.
  • Tuition Assistance for continuing education with qualifying grades.
  • 100% paid Employee Assistance Program and basic life insurance.
  • Options for Voluntary Life Insurance coverage and 100% paid Workers Compensation.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Director, Business Development, to serve as both a pipeline builder and a capture leader who owns the customer engagement from first contact through contract award. This role calls for someone who identifies and shapes opportunities early, builds the relationships and teaming arrangements that strengthen our competitive position, and converts pursuits into funded programs.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact position for a leader who can walk into a program office and make a credible, well-substantiated case for why Intellisense is the right partner. You will help shape requirements ahead of RFP release and develop the proposals that carry pursuits to contract award. If you enjoy solving complex problems and want direct ownership of outcomes, this is your role.

Location: Torrance, CA (Onsite)

Responsibilities:
  • Drive a qualified, data-driven pipeline of new and follow-on business across DoD (Air Force, Navy, Army, SOCOM) and potential commercial customers, spanning our sensing, embedded processing, displays, and power management technology lines for airborne and ground vehicle platforms. Own the bookings and revenue numbers that result. Activity is not the scoreboard; bookings and revenue are.
  • Take end-to-end ownership of capture strategy for priority pursuits, including shaping requirements ahead of RFP release, developing win themes and price-to-win positioning, and driving proposals through to contract award.
  • Build direct, trusted relationships with senior leaders in program offices, prime contractors, and government/military decision-makers through proactive, planned customer engagement.
  • Drive strategic planning, market analysis, and forecasting across the defense and commercial sectors you own - including airborne and ground vehicle platforms, maritime and environmental sensing, and broader embedded processing and power management applications - to define where the next programs and budget lines will form and get there first with a plan.
  • Be the face of Intellisense in the field. Engage at trade shows, industry days, and customer forums that matter. Use every one of them to sharpen your read on emerging customer requirements and competitor movement in the marketspace.
  • Manage and report on your portfolio of accounts and opportunities with the discipline and accuracy leadership needs to forecast against.
  • Travel to close the deal. Travel to support customer engagements, trade shows, and industry events - wherever the goal requires you to be.

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical, electronics, or related discipline), computer science, business, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
  • 10+ years of business development, capture, or industrial sales experience in complex, technically oriented environments.
  • Demonstrated track record of capturing and closing contracts in the $1M-$20M+ range, with experience placing products related to sensing, embedded processing, displays, power management, or embedded electronic-systems portfolios.
  • Working knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, government contracting vehicles, ITAR, and U.S. export-control requirements.
  • Proposal development and writing experience, along with basic contracting and negotiation skills.
  • Strong leadership, presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief senior military and executive stakeholders.
  • Full-time presence at our Torrance, CA facility, is required except when on travel.
  • Ability to travel up to 50%.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance for which U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice to Haves:
  • Experience selling into complex government and defense acquisition environments, including familiarity with program offices, prime contractors, and multi-stakeholder buying processes.
  • Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or higher).
  • Direct business development or program management experience placing products related to sensing, embedded processing, displays, power management, or embedded electronic-systems portfolios.
  • Experience transitioning advanced technology or prototype systems into programs of record or follow-on production contracts.
  • Former military service or civilian government experience is a plus.

What You Could Expect:
  • High-visibility ownership of capture strategy from first customer conversation through contract award.
  • Direct engagement with senior DoD and commercial decision-makers.
  • A collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your pipeline decisions shape company growth.
  • Regular travel to trade shows, industry days, and customer sites to represent Intellisense in the field.
  • Job responsibilities within our organization are dynamic. This may not be a complete list of duties. Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your supervisor or upper management at any time.
Compensation:
  • Base salary: $225,000 - $250,000, depending on skills, qualifications, and experience.
  • Plus a quarterly performance incentive tied to individual revenue and bookings achievement - target incentive of up to 15% of base salary annually - consistent with ISI's Business Development Incentive Plan.
  • A signing bonus, commensurate with experience.
  • Eligibility to participate in ISI's stock option plan, subject to Board approval.
Benefits:
  • 4 Weeks PTO a year (including 40 hours of PTO on your first day)
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 401(k) with 100% employer matching up to 4% of salary (no vesting period)
  • Multiple options for Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance plans
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tuition Assistance (30% of Tuition with a minimum qualifying grade)
  • 100% Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 100% Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • 100% Paid Workers Compensation Insurance
  • Voluntary Life Insurance

The unique culture at Intellisense offers the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the support and expertise of a larger organization.

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