Business Development Manager

We are representing a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer specializing in high-reliability power systems, electronics, and mission-critical energy solutions used across commercial aviation, military platforms, general aviation, and industrial applications. The business operates as part of a larger aerospace platform with 50 business units across the United States, creating significant internal mobility and cross-division growth opportunities.

This is a rare opportunity for engineers who want to pivot into technical sales and long-term commercial leadership.

Why This Role Is Different as a Business Development Manager:

• This position exists because the prior incumbent was recently promoted into senior leadership, opening a true succession path—not a replacement hire.
• The organization has a proven, structured leadership pipeline where high performers can progress: Business Development Manager → Business Unit Manager → Vice President → President. This is not aspirational—it is a demonstrated, repeatable career path.
• At the VP level, leaders participate in equity and stock-based compensation programs, which have historically created substantial long-term wealth for top performers.

What You’ll Do Business Development Manager:

This is a high-ownership, technically grounded sales role where you will:

• Drive revenue growth across assigned aerospace and defense accounts
• Identify, develop, and close new technical and commercial opportunities
• Build relationships with engineering leaders, program managers, and executive stakeholders
• Own a defined portfolio of customers with full accountability for results
• Translate technical engineering capability into customer solutions and programs
• Partner closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to win business
• Track market trends, competitive activity, and customer requirements to shape strategy

This role operates with significant autonomy. While support, training, and leadership backing are available, success requires self-direction and strong ownership of outcomes.

Who This Is For as a Business Development Manager:

This role is ideal for:

• Engineers (mechanical, electrical, aerospace, systems, or related disciplines) looking to transition into commercial leadership
• Technical professionals with 3 years of aerospace, defense, or complex manufacturing experience
• Individuals comfortable engaging with customers, negotiating, and driving strategy
• Candidates seeking a long-term path to VP and executive leadership roles
• Self-starters who can operate independently while leveraging available support when needed

Requirements of the Business Development Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field
• 3 years of aerospace, defense, or technical industry experience
• Exposure to customer engagement, contracts, program management, or technical sales
• Strong communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Ability to travel approximately 40%
• Must be a U.S. person due to export-controlled technology regulations

Culture & Environment of the Business Development Manager:

• High-performance, ownership-driven culture within a multi-business-unit aerospace platform
• Significant visibility to senior leadership and commercial executives
• Strong collaboration across engineering, operations, and business development teams
• Entrepreneurial operating model with autonomy at the business unit level
• Opportunities for mobility across multiple aerospace and defense divisions in the U.S.

The Opportunity of the Business Development Manager:

This is a career-defining pivot for engineers who want to move beyond technical execution into customer-facing leadership, commercial ownership, and executive progression.

If you are looking for a heavily structured, micromanaged environment, this is not the right fit.

If you want autonomy, technical credibility, and a clear path toward VP-level leadership with meaningful long-term equity upside, this opportunity is designed for exactly that trajectory.

If you would like to have a confidential chat, please contact Rabeel Imrane, Rabeel.imrane@rps-recruitment.com, 16266308659.