Business Development Lead, Defense & Government

Aventra Defense Systems is seeking a driven and well-networked Business Development Lead to own our commercial lifecycle. This role is Aventra’s first dedicated BD hire and is designed for a senior individual contributor who can operate independently from day one, shape requirements with program offices, navigate complex acquisition pathways, and close contracts across DoD, the U.S. Intelligence Community, and international partners. You will report directly to the CRO and work with the autonomy and visibility of a founding team member. As Aventra scales, this role is positioned to grow into a BD leadership function.

Key Responsibilities

Pipeline Development & Capture

• Own end-to-end BD for Aventra products across DoD program offices, SOCOM, and select IC customers — from initial relationship development through contract award
• Identify, qualify, and shape opportunities through market intelligence, early customer engagement, and requirements influence
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline — tracking opportunities, developing capture plans, and forecasting for the CRO and leadership team
• Represent Aventra at DoD, SOCOM, and industry forums; build and sustain relationships across the program management and acquisition communities

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Translate customer requirements and field feedback directly to engineering and operations to inform product development and CONOPs
• Work as a peer alongside engineering, operations, and customer success teams — bridging the gap between customer language and technical execution
• Help scale Aventra’s BD function — tools, processes, and eventually the team

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in defense BD, government sales, or a related field — ideally with UAS, autonomous systems, long-range fires, or adjacent platforms
• Deep familiarity with DoD and/or IC acquisition; direct experience with OTAs, SBIRs, and non-traditional pathways strongly preferred
• A network across DoD program offices, SOCOM, and/or the IC — you have relationships that open doors and know how to build new ones
• Comfortable operating as a true self-starter in an early-stage environment — you create structure, manage ambiguity, and move fast
• Strong peer-level collaborator; able to work fluidly with engineering, operations, and customer success teams
• Military or IC background is a meaningful differentiator — but not required
• Active security clearance is great; candidates without one must be willing and eligible to obtain one

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience
• Commission
• Equity options
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage

This role is ideal for a seasoned BD professional who wants to be at the center of a fast-moving defense technology company. As Aventra’s first commercial hire, you will have direct impact on mission execution and the opportunity to build the BD function from the ground up — helping deliver a transformative capability to the warfighter at scale.

Location: In person with travel required

Type: Full-time