Business Development Manager – Autonomous Systems

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Business Development Manager- Autonomous Systems at ADDMAN Engineering, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth and expanding market share for ADDMAN's advanced manufacturing solutions supporting the rapidly growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), drone, and autonomous systems industries, including Robotics. This role serves as the primary commercial lead responsible for identifying, qualifying, and capturing new business opportunities across commercial, defense, aerospace, and government markets.

The Business Development Manager will partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to develop strategic customer relationships, identify emerging market opportunities, and position ADDMAN's additive manufacturing, precision machining, engineering, and production capabilities as preferred solutions for next-generation drone platforms and supporting technologies. This position balances long-term market development with hands-on customer engagement to deliver sustainable bookings, revenue, and backlog growth.

Note: This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); U.S. person status is required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Help Define, Develop, and Execute the business development strategy for ADDMAN's UAV and Robotics Systems market.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within commercial drone, defense UAS, autonomous systems, aerospace, robotics, and emerging aviation markets.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, defense contractors, government agencies, and strategic partners.
• Identify opportunities to leverage ADDMAN's additive manufacturing, CNC machining, engineering, and production capabilities throughout the drone product lifecycle.
• Lead customer engagement from initial opportunity identification through proposal development, negotiations, and contract award.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Program Management, and Supply Chain to align customer requirements with manufacturing capabilities, technology roadmaps, capacity, and cost structures.
• Develop capture strategies for key programs and coordinate internal resources to maximize win probability.
• Lead pricing strategy, margin analysis, and commercial negotiations to achieve profitable growth targets.
• Develop and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline, providing accurate forecasts for bookings, revenue, and backlog.
• Monitor federal, defense, and commercial drone market trends, customer needs, competitive activity, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies.
• Represent ADDMAN at customer meetings, industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to promote the company's capabilities.
• Prepare and present business development status, forecasts, market intelligence, and performance metrics to leadership.

Requirements

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong commitment to safety and a culture of accountability.
• Proven ability to develop new business and drive revenue growth within aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or technology industries.
• Strong understanding of drone, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), autonomous systems, aerospace manufacturing, or related technologies.
• Exceptional customer-facing communication, negotiation, presentation, and executive relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading complex sales cycles involving technical products, engineered solutions, and manufacturing services.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance growth objectives with technical, operational, and margin considerations.
• Ability to identify emerging customer needs and translate them into actionable commercial opportunities and capture strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership and influence across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• High integrity, initiative, accountability, and an ownership mindset with a results-driven approach.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Aviation, Aerospace, or a related discipline required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, sales, capture management, or commercial leadership within aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, unmanned systems, robotics, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic customer relationships that resulted in measurable bookings or revenue growth.
• Experience selling engineered products or manufacturing services into aerospace, defense, or regulated markets preferred.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, government contracting, defense supply chains, and proposal development is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of additive manufacturing, precision machining, AS9100 quality systems, and ITAR compliance preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience using CRM, ERP, or sales management tools.
• Ability to travel approximately 35-50% as required; security clearance or the ability to obtain one is beneficial.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The role requires frequent travel to customer sites, manufacturing facilities, industry events, and trade shows. Interaction with manufacturing operations may require PPE such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed shoes. Typical plant conditions include ambient temperature, standard lighting, and manufacturing equipment in use.
• Hybrid or remote work flexibility may be available occasionally, dictated by company needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to accomplish the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

SAFETY AND POLICY PRACTICES:

Each employee must be knowledgeable of standard safety policies and procedures and adhere to the same while supporting the goals and objectives of the organization and recognizing the Company’s need to achieve its business objectives. Each employee is responsible for complying with company hazardous waste disposal procedures.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:

ADDMAN Engineering is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All terms and conditions of employment will be administered without regard to an individual’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

NOTE: This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time, and the employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. ADDMAN Engineering reserves the right to add, delete, or modify these duties and responsibilities at its discretion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employment is at-will, and nothing in this job description is intended to create or imply a contractual relationship or alter the at-will status of the employee.