(Senior) Business Development Lead - US

CDDS AG • Virginia, VA

5d

About The Position

CDDS is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to build and grow its US business. The role will develop CDDS's presence in the national security market, shape growth priorities with leadership, and turn customer needs into funded opportunities and contracts. The position works independently and alongside engineering, product, and operations teams to connect operational requirements with achievable solutions and establish sustained US business growth. CDDS develops low-collateral kinetic interceptors designed to neutralize malicious drones and protect people and critical infrastructure.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in defense business development, capture management, government acquisition, or military procurement, or equivalent demonstrated responsibility.
• Demonstrated success winning defense contracts or advancing funded government acquisitions, with clear responsibility for the outcomes.
• Hands-on knowledge of US government requirements development, funding, acquisition pathways, and contracting, gained in industry or government.
• Strong US defense relationships and credibility with operational users, program offices, acquisition officials, and senior decision-makers.
• Commercial judgment, negotiation, and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical capabilities in terms of operational value and align stakeholders.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams without formal authority, prioritize competing opportunities, and take ownership in a fast-moving startup.
• Active US Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance, ability to maintain it, and sound judgment on sensitive information, procurement, security, and export requirements.
• US-based and willing to travel regularly for customer engagements, demonstrations, and coordination with the CDDS team in Switzerland.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with UASs, counter-UAS, or autonomous defense technologies.
• Prior military service, particularly in operational, acquisition, capability development, or force protection roles.
• Experience moving emerging technologies from trials and demonstrations into funded procurement and operational use.
• Experience growing a defense technology startup or building partnerships with US defense primes and systems integrators.

Responsibilities

• Own US business growth and deliver agreed commercial targets, set market priorities with CDDS leadership, and identify where to focus resources.
• Build relationships with military end users, program offices, acquisition officials, and senior decision-makers; identify mission needs and develop priority accounts.
• Identify and qualify opportunities through outreach and procurement monitoring, then lead capture from initial engagement through contract award with clear milestones throughout government sales cycles.
• Develop capture strategies covering customer requirements, funding, acquisition routes, competitors, and CDDS's value proposition, and recommend which opportunities to pursue.
• Work with engineering, product, and operations teams to shape feasible solutions and delivery commitments and bring customer feedback into product priorities.
• Lead responses to requests for information and proposals, coordinate technical and commercial inputs, and negotiate contracts with leadership and relevant contracting support.
• Represent CDDS at customer meetings, industry events, and demonstrations, coordinating technical teams to demonstrate capabilities against customer mission requirements.
• Maintain a qualified US pipeline, accurate CRM records, account plans, and reliable forecasts; report award timing, risks, resource needs, and progress against targets.
• Coordinate contract handover to delivery teams, maintain customer relationships after award, and develop follow-on opportunities as operational needs evolve.

Benefits

• Direct impact on mission-critical technology shaping the western security landscape.
• Fast-moving startup environment with high ownership.
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands-on team.
• Real-world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations.
• Attractive compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed