Director, Business Development – Defence & Government

Loft Orbital

. Own the full sales cycle with French defence and government customers, from lead generation and qualification through proposal, negotiation and close.

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeFranceLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing the full sales cycle for French defence and government customers, with a strong focus on building relationships, negotiating contracts, and providing market intelligence. Proficient in both French and English, capable of translating complex technical concepts into compelling commercial offers.

Highest-signal resume keywords

5+ Years Direct Sales ExperienceEstablished Network in French DefenceTechnical Understanding of Defence SystemsNative or Fully Professional French and EnglishEligible for French National Defence Security Clearance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Sales Cycle ManagementContract NegotiationMarket Intelligence AnalysisProposal DevelopmentTechnical Fluency in Space Systems

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationExecutive PresenceRelationship Building

Certifications & Qualifications

French National Defence Security Clearance Eligibility

Industry Keywords

French DefenceGovernment ProcurementAerospaceDeep-Tech IndustriesEuropean Defence Programmes

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the full sales cycle with French defence and government customers, from lead generation and qualification through proposal, negotiation and close.
Build and deepen relationships across the Ministère des Armées, DGA, Commandement de l'Espace, Agence de l'innovation de défense, CNES and French prime contractors and integrators.
Win through French public procurement by navigating tenders, innovation programmes and direct contracting routes.
Lead written and verbal proposals in French and English, translating mission requirements into winning commercial offers.
Negotiate contracts, including pricing, terms, security and sovereignty requirements, and deal structure.
Identify and contribute to European defence programmes, allied government customers and strategic partnerships.
Support customers after programmes begin and identify additional opportunities.
Provide market intelligence on French and European defence and space priorities, budget cycles, competitors and market direction.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of direct sales or business development experience selling complex technical products or solutions to French defence or government customers, ideally within aerospace, defence, space, or other deep-tech industries.
An established network across the French defence and government ecosystem, particularly Minarm and DGA, with familiarity with organizations such as CDE and CNES and an understanding of how French defence programmes are planned, funded and procured.
Proven track record of independently developing strategic opportunities, leading complex commercial negotiations, and securing significant institutional or government contracts.
Technical understanding of defence, aerospace, intelligence or space systems, including the ability to engage with engineering stakeholders, understand system architectures and capabilities, and translate complex technical concepts into customer value.
Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to represent an organization credibly in front of senior government, military, and industry leaders.
Native or fully professional French and English, written and spoken.
Eligible to obtain and hold a French national defence security clearance (habilitation).
Experience selling mission- or satellite-as-a-service offerings to defence or institutional customers is nice to have.
Strong technical fluency in space hardware and systems—payload integration, spacecraft bus architecture, mission design—is nice to have.
Direct experience at a French prime, a scaleup/startup in the space industry, the DGA, CNES or within the French armed forces is nice to have.
Familiarity with European defence funding instruments and ESA programmes, and with selling to other European MoDs or international government customers is nice to have.
A background in engineering that transitioned into a sales career is nice to have.
Residence in or willingness to relocate to Toulouse is nice to have; Paris-based candidates will also be considered.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Up to 35 days of Paid Time Off (vacations & RTT )
Flexible working hours
Health and life insurance
Lunch Vouchers
Cross-office travel opportunities between San Francisco, Colorado, and Toulouse
Company and team off-sites and many other events
Relocation assistance to Toulouse when applicable