Strategic Customer Engagement Manager

Saalex Solutions, Inc.

$110K — $170K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience with Naval Programs supporting NAWS China Lake.
  • Strong professional network within the Ridgecrest/China Lake defense community.
  • Experience with DoD, Navy, NAWCWD, government contractors, or related organizations.
  • Excellent communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to represent Saalex professionally with customers, partners, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain relationships with government and industry stakeholders.
  • Serve as a local representative for customers and organizations.
  • Identify and advance potential business opportunities for growth initiatives.
  • Expand and manage a pipeline across various technical solutions.
  • Gather insights and market intelligence to shape growth strategies.
  • Support collaboration with business development and proposal teams for customer engagement.
  • Assist in community outreach and customer visibility activities.

Benefits

  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
  • Work From Home
  • Wellness Resources
  • Stock Option Plan
Full Job Description
Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $110k-$170k (depending on experience)

Work Location: Hybrid work/in-office. (see onsite requirements below).

**On-Site Requirements: Work location is hybrid/remote and may require periodic travel up to 50% to DoW customer sites, conferences, and industry events.

Essential Functions:
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with government, military, and industry stakeholders throughout the Ridgecrest and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake community.
  • Serve as a local representative and trusted point of contact for customers, partners, and community organizations.
  • Support strategic growth initiatives by identifying, qualifying, and advancing potential business opportunities aligned with company capabilities and customer priorities.
  • Help expand and manage a pipeline of opportunities across Test Range Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Wargaming, Software Development & Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software Modernization, Intelligent Automation, IT, and Cybersecurity solutions.
  • Gather customer insight, mission requirements, and market intelligence to help shape growth strategies and future pursuits.
  • Collaborate closely with business development, capture, operations, and proposal teams to support opportunity development and customer engagement efforts.
  • Assist with customer meetings, industry days, conferences, technical exchanges, and community outreach activities to strengthen company visibility and relationships.
  • Support capture and proposal activities through customer research, relationship development, competitive intelligence, and opportunity tracking.
  • Help identify and establish strategic partnerships and teaming opportunities with government and industry organizations.
  • Promote company capabilities and solutions to existing and prospective customers while maintaining awareness of evolving mission needs.
  • Prepare customer engagement reports, opportunity summaries, and growth updates for leadership.
  • Maintain an active understanding of local government, defense, and industry initiatives that may create future business opportunities.
  • Foster long-term customer relationships that position the company for sustained growth and mission success.
  • Other duties as assigned or required.


Requirements

Required:
  • 5+ years of experience with Naval Programs supporting NAWS China Lake.
  • Strong professional network within the Ridgecrest/China Lake defense community.
  • Experience working with DoD, Navy, NAWCWD, government contractors, or related organizations.
  • Excellent communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to represent Saalex professionally with customers, partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Self-starter capable of working independently while collaborating with leadership teams.
  • Experience supporting business development, capture, proposals, or customer-facing activities.


Desired Qualifications
  • Basic understanding of DoW acquisition lifecycle, FAR/DFARS, and major contract vehicles (e.g., GSA OASIS, IDIQs, MACs)
  • Experience supporting DoW agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines)
  • Experience with DoW cybersecurity/compliance requirements (e.g., CMMC, NIST SP 800-171)


Security Clearance:

Must be eligible to obtain a Secret clearance. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.

Benefits
  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
  • Work From Home
  • Wellness Resources
  • Stock Option Plan

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