Business Development Manager – Aerospace & Defense

Location: Southern Arkansas | On-Site
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Relocation Support: Available

Comp: $150K - $180K + bonus

Drive Growth Across Aerospace, Defense & Aviation Aftermarket

We’re partnering confidentially with an established aerospace and defense manufacturer in Southern Arkansas seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to help drive growth across OEM, aftermarket, military aviation, and defense markets.

This is a hands-on commercial role for someone who understands how business gets done in aerospace — building customer relationships, identifying opportunities, managing RFQs and proposals, coordinating pricing, and working closely with technical and operational teams to move business forward.

You’ll inherit an active pipeline while developing new opportunities and expanding strategic customer relationships across the U.S.

This is not a purely strategic leadership position.

You’ll be directly involved in winning and growing the business.

What You’ll Own

- Drive business development across aerospace, defense, OEM, and aftermarket markets
- Develop and expand relationships with OEMs, operators, military customers, distributors, and industry partners
- Identify new programs, customers, and commercial opportunities
- Lead and coordinate RFQs, quotations, proposals, and pricing activities
- Manage opportunities through the commercial pipeline
- Expand existing accounts and identify additional revenue opportunities
- Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain
- Respond effectively to time-sensitive customer and program requirements
- Support and provide direction to a small commercial team
- Maintain visibility into pipeline progression and customer activity
- Travel throughout the U.S., with occasional international travel

What We’re Looking For

Required

- 8+ years of experience within aerospace, defense, aviation aftermarket, OEM programs, MRO, or military aviation
- Proven experience developing and growing customer relationships in technical aerospace environments
- Hands-on experience with RFQs, proposals, quotations, pricing, and commercial execution
- Strong understanding of aerospace aftermarket and aviation support environments
- Demonstrated ability to identify and develop new business opportunities
- Strong commercial judgment and customer-facing communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and other technical teams
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment
- Ability to travel as required

Highly Valued

Experience within:

- Military aviation
- Rotorcraft
- Aerospace aftermarket
- OEM programs
- MRO / aviation services
- Defense programs
- Sustainment and lifecycle support
- Government aerospace programs
- Mission-critical aviation systems

Who Will Thrive Here?

You’re commercially driven and operationally grounded .

You understand that successful aerospace business development goes beyond opening doors. You can build relationships, understand customer requirements, work through technical and commercial details, and maintain momentum from initial opportunity through execution.

You’re equally comfortable discussing a new opportunity with a customer and working internally with Engineering or Manufacturing to determine how the business can deliver it.

Most importantly, you know how to turn strong customer relationships into sustainable revenue growth .

Why Consider This Opportunity?

- Inherit an active aerospace and defense pipeline
- Develop new business across OEM, aftermarket, military, and defense markets
- Significant ownership of customer and commercial growth
- High visibility with senior leadership and strategic customers
- Work closely with technical and manufacturing teams
- Performance-based annual bonus
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) retirement program with company contribution
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development and career-growth opportunities
- Fully covered business travel
- Relocation assistance and sign-on support available

Important Requirement

Due to applicable defense-program and export-control requirements, U.S. citizenship is required for this position.

Apply Today

If you bring strong aerospace or defense commercial experience and enjoy being directly involved in developing relationships, pursuing opportunities, and growing revenue , we’d welcome a confidential conversation.

All applications and inquiries will be handled discreetly.