General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Director, Adjacent Market Development for Advanced Energy Technologies

Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in business administration or related field; 13+ years of complex business development experience, with 9+ years managing activities.
  • Technical degree in fusion science or engineering preferred.
  • Experience with Department of Energy, National Labs, and Defense customers is highly valued.
  • Familiarity with military lab community agencies such as ARL, NRL, and DARPA is ideal.
  • Proven expertise in business development principles and project management, demonstrating problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent writing, verbal, and presentation skills are essential.
  • Interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills to engage effectively across all levels of management.

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic development of adjacent markets in U.S. and international sectors.
  • Identify opportunities that leverage Energy Group capabilities outside the core fusion programs.
  • Target diverse markets including advanced nuclear technologies and defense applications.
  • Coordinate technical solutions with magnetic fusion energy architects for intersecting opportunities.
  • Contribute market knowledge for strategic planning and funding opportunities.
  • Assess business opportunities through market analysis and competitive monitoring.
  • Direct proposal preparations, ensuring alignment with financial and operational goals.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday policies.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
  • Supportive and inclusive work environment.
  • Flexible work schedules and remote work options.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Adjacent Market Development within the GA-Energy Group. This position is located in San Diego, CA.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Business Development and is responsible for directing adjacent market development to diversify the existing customer base and solution offerings of the Energy Group. The position will focus on expanding the Energy Group business beyond its traditional Department of Energy (DOE) fusion programs, developing opportunities in fusion-adjacent government and commercial spaces. The Director will provide strategic leadership across complex, cross-functional initiatives, exercising influence and collaboration rather than direct supervisory authority. This role will:
  • Lead development and execution of strategic business development plans aligned with GA-Energy Group objectives.
  • Influence and align cross-functional stakeholders, including magnetic fusion energy leaders, engineering, programs, finance, and supply chain, to achieve growth and capture objectives.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insight on customers, markets, competitors, and funding landscapes.
  • Build and sustain high-impact relationships with U.S. Government, industry, national laboratories, and academic partners.
  • Champion a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability in all business development activities.
  • Drive disciplined opportunity qualification, capture strategy, and proposal development to improve win probability.
  • Communicate complex technical and strategic concepts clearly to diverse internal and external audiences.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of short and long-term objectives for the supported organization(s) and may consult with executive management to develop and implement current, annual, and long-term business development objectives for the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Responsible for strategic development of adjacent markets within US and international governments and industry. Experience with DOE business development is welcome, but the role focus is to shape and capture programs in fusion energy adjacent spaces outside of the DOE.
  • Identify and develop fusion-adjacent and cross-sector opportunities that leverage Energy Group capabilities outside the core fusion program portfolio.
  • Target markets may include advanced nuclear technologies, high-power RF and microwave systems, particle beams and accelerators, advanced materials, neutron sources and testing, defense applications, and other emerging energy and national-security markets that leverage Energy Group capabilities.
  • Coordinate with Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE) Technical Solutions Architects where opportunities intersect with fusion science, fusion technology development, or MFE strategic partnerships.
  • Contribute to Energy Group strategic planning, providing knowledge of customers, markets, and federal and commercial funding opportunities.
  • Direct the assessment of potential business opportunities through activities such as market and economic analysis, monitoring competitive activity and identifying customer needs.
  • Direct and influence the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract(s).
  • Grasp technical concepts and differentiators quickly to drive negotiations and develop winning offerings.
  • Understand and represent company objectives in technology and stakeholder forums that include government sponsors and industry executives.
  • Build winning teams among industry, national laboratories, and universities for advanced energy technologies.
  • Support division growth from R&D to product maturation in the areas of advanced energy technologies.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in implementing new and revised strategic objectives and acts as a liaison with other organizations and affiliates.
  • Represents the organization(s) with customers and potential customers, both domestic and foreign, and business and non-business communities on significant matters.
  • Act as the primary contact for high level business development activities. Lead progress review sessions to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance and to disseminate information on a continuous basis to all pertinent parties concerning the fulfillment of project goals and objectives.
  • Ensure business leadership and excellence is maintained by directing the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required management, professional, and technical talent.
  • Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.


Job Qualifications

  • Typically requires a Bachelors or Masters in business administration or a related field and thirteen or more years of progressively complex experience in business development with at least nine years managing business development activities. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
  • A technical degree relevant to fusion science or engineering is highly desired.
  • Experience with Department of Energy, National Labs, and Department of Defense customers, as well as the commercial fusion companies & ecosystem is desired.
  • Specific experience working with the military lab community and agencies is desired, such as ARL, NRL, ONR, AFRL, DARPA, and DIU.
  • Must demonstrate detailed and extensive expertise and application of business development principles and concepts, and practice as well as comprehensive project management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
  • Must possess the ability to resolve unusually complex problems; serve as spokesperson on projects.
  • Excellent verbal, writing and presentation skills.
  • Strong communication, leadership, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required to enable an effective interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives.
  • US Citizenship is required as is the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Q Security Clearance.

About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The company is headquartered in Poway, California, and has additional offices and facilities around the world.
Learn more about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1955

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