Business Development Director

BAE Systems

5d • $153,377 - $260,743 • Hybrid

About The Position

Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.

It’s about the journey. Whether it’s a bus ride or flight, our commercial electronic systems help transport millions of passengers every day. Every second a plane takes off somewhere in the world, enabled by our flight-critical products. On the ground, our electric and hybrid solutions save more than 22 million gallons of fuel per year. Be part of our journey at Electronic Systems where you’ll be among the brightest minds, working on the industry’s most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future. And you can, too. Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first – exemplified by our mission: “We Innovate For Those Who Move The World (TM).” Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.

In Controls & Avionics Solutions, you will have the opportunity to help define and develop the next generation of avionics – whether it is fly-by-wire flight controls, full authority digital engine controls, or power management.

The Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS) business area delivers high-integrity systems that enable some of the world’s most advanced commercial and military platforms. With a global portfolio spanning flight controls, actuation systems, mission computers, active pilot controls, power management, and safety-critical avionics, CAS partners with an exceptionally diverse customer set—including leading OEMs, U.S. and international defense customers, emerging commercial aviation innovators, and next-generation platforms and autonomy programs.
CAS is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead strategic growth initiatives across the complex, fast-moving global Defense market. This leader will guide the CAS business in identifying opportunities, shaping markets, driving high-impact captures, and positioning CAS for long-term success. They will work daily with a high-performing team of seasoned P&L, Capture, and Strategy professionals.
The ideal candidate has strong depth in classified US DoD/DoW programs and is both commercially and militarily minded—someone who can anticipate market shifts, understand evolving customer priorities, and adapt strategies to meet a rapidly changing global aerospace and defense market. This individual must excel in environments characterized by high complexity, diverse stakeholders, and competitive pressures from both traditional primes and new-market disruptors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in aerospace Defense Programs, Business Development, and Strategy within US DoD and Industry.
• Proven success leading large, complex captures in a highly regulated DoD aviation environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate high-performing Capture Teams.
• Strong understanding of traditional U.S. DoD (& emerging DoW) acquisition processes, budget cycles, and customer stakeholder dynamics.
• Experience working with major OEMs such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, GE Aerospace, and emerging commercial/VC-backed market entrants.
• Solid understanding of commercial and military aviation markets and the ability to interpret shifts in demand signals, technology trends, and competitive landscapes.
• Exceptional communication, executive presence, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong business acumen, including pipeline management, financial literacy, price-to-win fundamentals, and competitive intelligence.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in engineering, business, or related field
• Prior leadership experience within the US DoD PB&E process.
• Knowledge of international defense market trends and export regulations (ITAR, EAR).
• Formal Capture certification and training
• Experience with CAS’s Defense-relevant product lines: High integrity flight controls, engine controls, and actuation systems Mission and flight-critical computers Active inceptors/pilot controls Aircraft power systems Autonomous controls for NextGen platforms

Responsibilities

• Voice of the Customer: You are the Voice of our most important Customers – the Warfighters. Our teams will look to you for guidance and direction to ensure we are always aligned with our Customers’ needs and budgets. Your insight and relationships will provide the confidence our teams depend on when the Defense market is at its most dynamic.
• Trusted Advisor: Serve as the trusted advisor to the CAS Senior Business Development Director and the Defense-oriented Product Line leadership teams to develop and shape growth strategies, cultivate a growth mindset within the CAS organization, prioritize new business opportunities, and recommend investments to align with customers’ needs and requirements.
• Strategic Growth Leadership: Define, communicate, and implement the go-to-market strategy that is aligned with CAS’s long-range business plans, technology investment priorities, and global Defense market trends.
• Market Shaping: Anticipate and interpret customer needs, competitive dynamics, regulatory shifts, and market movements across all Defense domains (Air, Space, Ground, & Sea), utilizing intercompany collaboration to strengthen your position.
• Customer Engagement: Foster relationships with OEMs, Prime Contractors, US Government customers, and International defense organizations. Link these engagements with our Campaigns to ensure our meetings help build our Customer insight and tailor our solutions.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop multi-disciplinary Capture Teams (capture leads, senior engineers, Business Winning support, etc) to deliver disciplined, repeatable business-winning processes.
• Pipeline Ownership: Build, manage, and mature a robust, fact-based pipeline, ensuring opportunities are aligned with business strategy, capability roadmaps, and investment priorities.
• Capture Excellence: Take ownership and lead by example within our major pursuits, ensuring rigor in win strategies, price-to-win analysis, competitive positioning, and proposal execution.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with engineering, program management, operations, finance, strategy, and technology leaders to ensure customer needs and market realities are reflected in business decisions.
• Portfolio Insight: Maintain deep understanding of CAS product lines—including flight controls, actuation, pilot controls, engine controls, avionics, and power systems—ensuring BD actions reflect technical realities and customer mission priorities.
• Executive Reporting: Provide clear, actionable courses of action and recommendations to senior leadership on market developments, risks, competitive posture.

Benefits

• At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees