Head of Business Development – Defense

Machina Labs is reshaping manufacturing through advanced robotics and machine learning, enabling flexible, on-demand production of complex metal parts for defense and industrial applications.

Location: United States

Salary: $250k–$320k

Responsibilities

• Lead Machina’s defense business development strategy across missiles, hypersonics, UAV, and USV programs.
• Secure feasibility, qualification, LRIP, and full-rate production contracts for structural assemblies.
• Target programs involving advanced strike systems and new platform development.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior Program Managers, engineering leaders, manufacturing leads, and supply chain decision-makers at major Defense Primes and emerging defense companies.
• Navigate Prime procurement processes to position Machina as a Tier-1 supplier of complex metal structural assemblies.
• Engage with relevant Department of War acquisition organizations to support transition from R&D and prototyping into Programs of Record.
• Understand and influence funding pathways tied to testing, qualification, and production ramp.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Product, and Executive Leadership to align customer requirements with Machina’s technical roadmap.
• Support RFQs, technical evaluations, proposal development, and executive-level negotiations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 10+ years of business development, capture, or program leadership experience within the defense ecosystem as a Tier-1 supplier.
• Demonstrated success closing multi-million-dollar qualification and production contracts for complex metal structural assemblies supporting weapons programs.
• Deep familiarity with BD and commercial processes inside major Primes and well-funded emerging neo primes.
• Experience selling through or competing alongside Defense Tier-1 structural suppliers.
• Strong executive-level relationships tied to missile or hypersonic programs such as JASSM, LRASM, Tomahawk, NSM, CPS, HACM, LRHW, or similar platforms.
• Trusted operator with long-cycle strategic BD experience; more architect of growth than transactional sales leader.
• Comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a high-growth environment.
• Current Active Secret DoD security clearance or ability to obtain and retain Top Secret Clearance within 365 days from submission.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% annually.