SkillBridge: Manager, Defense Business Development

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

REGENT is a proud dual-use company with technology that can make a difference to our warfighters, and we need a passionate and experienced defense business development leader to take us to the next level. Reporting directly to the Director of Defense Programs, our Manager, Defense Business Development will be responsible for refining and executing our defense go‑to‑market strategy and executing our existing DoD contracts.

The Manager, Defense Business Development will have three primary initiatives:

• Long-term strategy
  :
  Develop and execute a roadmap to a Program of Record with relevant services

• Medium-term tactics
  :
  Develop and execute strategies for securing opportunities to bolster REGENT’s product development across key defense stakeholders (all services, intelligence community, and innovation units, e.g. DIU)

• Short-term execution
  :
  Ensure flawless execution of our existing Marine Corps and Defense Department programs focused on accelerating full‑scale human‑carrying seaglider development

Throughout these initiatives, the Manager, Defense Business Development, will work closely with our engineering team to filter and prioritize customer requirements and to communicate technical details, timelines, and program plans to our customers. The Manager, Defense Business Development, will also work closely with the Government Relations function to build and deepen relationships with key government leaders, agencies, and advocacy groups, ensuring REGENT is a leader on legislation and policy matters that are generally important to the business.

Success in this role means our seagliders are built into multiple DoD Programs of Record, comprising a substantial fraction of our total manufacturing capacity. As a result, our nation’s warfighters are better equipped to succeed. If you’re energized by working at the intersection of cutting‑edge innovation, real‑world impact, and hands‑on engineering, you’ll be in the right place - and we’d be thrilled to have you on the team!

REGENT is proud to be a Skill Bridge industry partner and offer internship opportunities for transitioning service members. Through this program, you'll gain hands‑on experience in the maritime and defense industries, working alongside some of the most respected leaders and engineers in the field. While you continue to receive your military pay and benefits, we’ll provide immersive training and meaningful work that sets you up for success in a civilian career.

• Own successful strategy and growth of REGENT’s defense business and team

• Develop multi‑year business development strategies focused on winning solutions across all areas of the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community

• Work alongside REGENT leadership to determine business development strategies and priorities

• Engage target government programs and key decision‑makers; our defense leader must forge strong relationships and can’t be stuck behind a desk

• Build the defense business development and program management team, ensuring a top‑tier BD function

• Coordinate with engineering leadership to ensure customer requirements are met throughout the capture and program execution processes

• Actively lead strategic capture plans with other employees and monitor current and future government programs, including legislative actions,…