Business Development Manager

Opterus Research and Development designs and manufactures high-performance deployable structures and systems for space. Our technologies support commercial, defense, and scientific missions, delivering elegant solutions that advance aerospace and defense capabilities. We are AS9100 certified, DCAA compliant, and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for rapid prototyping, integration, and testing.

Position Overview

Opterus is seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager to drive growth across government and commercial space markets. This role is responsible for identifying and capturing new opportunities, developing strategic customer relationships, shaping winning capture strategies, and expanding Opterus’s portfolio of deployable systems and advanced structural solutions.

The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of technical understanding, business acumen, and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to win and grow programs in the aerospace and defense ecosystem.

What You’ll Do

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across defense, civil, and commercial space sectors
• Lead capture and proposal strategy and delivery in partnership with engineering and leadership teams
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, primes, commercial customers, and industry partners
• Conduct market research to identify trends, emerging customer needs, and industry partners
• Support strategic planning, forecasting, product roadmaps, and long-range growth initiatives
• Represent Opterus at industry events, conferences, and customer meetings
• Track and manage the opportunity pipeline using CRM tools
• Translate customer needs into actionable requirements for internal teams
• Support contract review and negotiation process for successful proposals
• Collaborate with internal teams on marketing and business development campaigns to generate high-quality leads

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, engineering, business, or related discipline
• 5+ years of combined engineering and sales or business development experience in the space or aerospace industry
• Strong understanding of government contracting, including DoD, NASA, and major prime contractors
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated success winning new business; experience introducing new products or capabilities is a plus
• Established professional network within aerospace and defense
• Proficiency with ERP and CRM systems
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, etc.)
• Ability to travel up to 30%
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident, eligible to obtain a security clearance

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range of $140,000 - $200,000, based on experience and qualification
• Participate in Annual Incentive Plan with a minimum of 10% target bonus, actual percentage based on experience and qualifications
• Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week, unless traveling)
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
• Opterus pays 100% of employees’ premiums and 70% of dependents’ premiums