Business Development Director – Directed Energy Systems

AeroVironment

. Establish and expand AeroVironment’s directed energy business across allied and partner nations .

Posted 11/5/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $126,500 - $215,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in international business development and defense sales, with a strong focus on directed energy technologies and strategic partnerships. Capable of navigating complex acquisition pathways and building relationships with government and military stakeholders across Europe, MENA, and the Indo-Pacific.

Highest-signal resume keywords

International Business DevelopmentDirected Energy TechnologiesDefense Sales ExperienceStrategic PartnershipsAcquisition Pathways

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Directed EnergyLaser Weapon SystemsCounter-UASIntegrated Air DefenseElectro-Optical SystemsMarket Strategy DevelopmentCapture PlansCustomer Engagement PlansInternational Growth InitiativesSystem-Integration Strategies

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationPresentation SkillsNegotiation SkillsRelationship-BuildingStrong Commercial Judgment

Tools & Technologies

FMSDCSExport ComplianceInternational Compliance RequirementsMultinational Programs

Certifications & Qualifications

Secret ClearanceU.S. Person Qualification under ITAR/EAR

Industry Keywords

DefenseNational SecurityMilitary Requirements DevelopmentAcquisitionOperational Capability

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Establish and expand AeroVironment’s directed energy business across allied and partner nations
Translate regional defense priorities and emerging counter-UAS requirements into international directed energy programs
Lead international growth strategy across Europe, MENA, and the Indo-Pacific
Develop tailored market approaches, identify priority countries and programs, build customer and partner relationships, and advance opportunities through contract award and program growth
Assess regional security priorities, counter-UAS requirements, air defense architectures, acquisition timelines, funding sources, competitive environments, and local industrial capabilities
Identify priority countries, ministries, military organizations, acquisition programs, exercises, demonstrations, and industry engagements
Build and manage the international business development pipeline and capture plans
Develop relationships with ministries of defense, military users, acquisition organizations, test agencies, national security institutions, primes, integrators, and local defense companies
Help customers connect operational needs to requirements development, experimentation, demonstrations, funding, acquisition, integration, training, sustainment, and long-term force development
Develop teaming, integration, industrial participation, local content, sustainment, and market-access strategies
Coordinate cross-functional international capture teams across engineering, product management, program management, contracts, finance, supply chain, export compliance, legal, and communications
Navigate FMS, DCS, government-to-government, and other international acquisition pathways
Lead senior-level customer meetings, technical briefings, demonstrations, operational assessments, trade shows, exercises, industry forums, and partner engagements
Communicate the operational value, capabilities, employment considerations, integration requirements, limitations, readiness factors, and lifecycle implications of laser weapon systems
Support international programs after award through implementation, fielding, training, sustainment, capability expansion, follow-on opportunities, and international references
Translate customer feedback, competitor intelligence, policy changes, partner capabilities, and regional market trends into recommendations for product development, integration, positioning, pricing, investment, and international portfolio strategy

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of relevant defense or national security experience
5+ years in international business development, capture, defense sales, strategic partnerships, or acquisition
Demonstrated record of advancing complex defense opportunities and building trusted relationships with international customers, government stakeholders, and industry partners
Established network in Europe, MENA, or the Indo-Pacific
Strong understanding of international military requirements development, funding, acquisition, integration, and transition into operational capability
Working knowledge of directed energy, laser weapon systems, counter-UAS, integrated air defense, electro-optical systems, or related technologies
Ability to explain directed-energy advantages, limitations, operational employment, and integration considerations within layered air defense
Experience developing regional market strategies, capture plans, customer engagement plans, pipeline objectives, and international growth initiatives
Experience coordinating complex pursuits across government, industry, engineering, program management, contracts, finance, export compliance, and legal
Strong commercial judgment
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
10+ years of relevant experience and 5+ years of international business development, capture, defense sales, strategic partnerships, or acquisition experience
Successful international sales or captures involving directed energy, high-energy lasers, counter-UAS, air defense, electro-optical/infrared systems, or related defense technologies
Experience supporting customers or programs across two or more of Europe, MENA, and the Indo-Pacific
Familiarity with FMS, DCS, government-to-government acquisition, multinational programs, export licensing, and international compliance requirements
Experience developing international teaming arrangements, system-integration strategies, offset or industrial participation plans, local-content strategies, or in-country sustainment approaches
Experience working with NATO, allied, coalition, or multinational defense organizations
Technical, operational, military, or acquisition experience enabling engagement with engineers and military end users
Professional experience living or working internationally, or demonstrated proficiency in another language
Secret clearance
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or be eligible for approval of an export license; some positions require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base compensation
Performance-based incentives tied to business growth and contract wins
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401K with company matching
9/80 work schedule
Paid holiday shutdown