Business Development Manager – Aerospace & Defense

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.