OverviewElement has an opportunity for a
Business Development Manager responsible for driving growth across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and surrounding markets. Based out of our Bloomington (Minneapolis), Minnesota laboratory, this role will focus on expanding business within the aerospace, defense, space, electronics, advanced technology, and industrial manufacturing sectors by promoting Element's comprehensive testing, inspection, and engineering services.
Element Minneapolis (Bloomington) is an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited aerospace and defense testing laboratory offering EMI/EMC testing, mechanical and dynamics testing, environmental simulation, vibration and shock testing, hydraulics testing, and product qualification services under one roof. The laboratory supports customers throughout the product lifecycle, from research and development through qualification, certification, and production readiness.
The successful candidate will develop and grow strategic customer relationships, identify new business opportunities, and expand existing accounts by partnering with engineering, program management, quality, compliance, procurement, and manufacturing stakeholders. This individual will work closely with laboratory and technical teams to deliver customized testing solutions that support product development, regulatory compliance, military standards qualification, environmental validation, and mission-critical performance requirements.
Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.
Responsibilities- Develop and execute territory growth strategies focused on new business acquisition and expansion of existing accounts.
- Build strong relationships with engineering, program management, quality, compliance, procurement, and executive decision-makers within aerospace, defense, electronics, and advanced technology organizations.
- Promote the full breadth of Element Minneapolis' testing capabilities, including EMI/EMC, environmental simulation, vibration, shock, dynamics, hydraulics, and mechanical testing services.
- Identify opportunities early in customer development and qualification programs to maximize share of wallet across Element's global network of laboratories.
- Lead consultative sales efforts including opportunity qualification, technical discovery, proposal development, presentations, negotiations, and contract execution.
- Develop strategic account plans focused on long-term growth and customer retention.
- Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting, and customer activity records within CRM systems.
- Represent Element at industry conferences, trade associations, customer facilities, and aerospace and defense events.
- Collaborate with technical experts, laboratory leadership, and regional sales teams to develop comprehensive solutions and achieve revenue objectives.
Skills / Qualifications- 5+ years of business development, technical sales, or account management experience within testing, inspection and certification (TIC), aerospace, defense, engineering services, electronics testing, manufacturing, or related technical industries.
- Experience selling complex technical services to engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, or compliance stakeholders.
- Knowledge of aerospace and defense qualification testing, EMI/EMC, environmental simulation, vibration, shock, dynamics, hydraulics, MIL-STD testing, DO-160, or related standards is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to generate new business, develop strategic accounts, and manage complex technical sales cycles.
- Strong communication, relationship-building, presentation, and consultative selling skills.
- Ability to navigate multi-stakeholder sales processes within highly regulated industries.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field preferred.
- Ability to travel 50-75% throughout the territory to support customers and business development activities.