Business Development Manager

GE Vernova • Washington DC, DC

21d

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager with deep expertise in U.S. Department of Defense R&D funding ecosystems to drive growth of our government-sponsored research portfolio. This individual will be the primary business development lead for DoD opportunities, with a strong focus on agencies such as DARPA, ARPA-E, the DoD Service Labs (ARL, NRL, AFRL), OSD R&E, DIU, SCO, and the DoD S&T community at large. The ideal candidate brings firsthand experience navigating the DoD R&D landscape — whether as a former DARPA Program Manager, SETA/FFRDC analyst, DoD S&T program officer, or defense-sector business development professional. You understand how programs are conceived, funded, and executed. You know how to shape opportunities, build customer relationships, and position a technology organization to win. You are equally comfortable in a technical deep-dive with researchers as you are in a strategy session with a Flag Officer or SES. This role reports to the Director of Government Business Development and works closely with the Advanced Research Center's technology leaders, proposal teams, contracts/legal, and GE Vernova business segment stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
• Experience in DoD R&D program management, S&T policy, defense technology consulting (SETA/FFRDC), and/or government-facing business development
• Deep, demonstrated knowledge of the DoD R&D funding landscape, including:
• Familiarity with DoD budget structure (6.1 – 6.4 RDT&E categories)
• Experience with BAAs, FAR-based contracts, cooperative agreements, OTAs, and grants
• Understanding of DoD acquisition pathways (MTA, JCIDS, adaptive acquisition, etc.)
• Established network of relationships within the DoD S&T community (DARPA, Service Labs, OSD R&E, DIU, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated track record of identifying, capturing, and winning government-funded R&D programs valued at $1M–$50M+
• Experience developing and delivering technical white papers, proposals, and executive-level capability briefings to government audiences
• Strong understanding of intellectual property, data rights, and export control considerations in the context of government-funded R&D
• Active or recently active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret minimum; Top Secret/SCI preferred) — or ability to obtain U.S. Citizenship required (due to nature of work and customer engagement requirements)

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline, or MBA/MS in a related field
• Former DARPA Program Manager, ARPA-E PM, or DoD S&T Program Officer with direct experience conceiving, funding, and managing R&D portfolios
• Former SETA or FFRDC staff supporting DARPA, OSD R&E, Service Labs, or equivalent agencies
• Experience with energy, power systems, advanced materials, AI/ML, autonomy, cyber-physical systems, hypersonics, directed energy, or advanced manufacturing — particularly in dual-use technology contexts
• Familiarity with ARPA-E, DoE EERE, DoE OE, DoE CESER, or DoE National Labs — ability to identify cross-agency synergies is a strong plus
• Experience working within a large, matrixed industrial R&D organization (GE, national lab, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of Shipley or similar capture management methodologies
• Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
• Existing relationships with key GE Vernova government stakeholders and customers
• Entrepreneurial mindset — you are a self-starter who can build a pipeline from scratch, open doors, and create opportunities where none existed
• Technical credibility — you can hold your own in conversations with world-class researchers and translate complex technology into compelling customer value propositions
• Customer obsession — you genuinely enjoy understanding the customer's mission, problems, and decision-making process and thrive on building long-term trusted relationships
• Strategic and analytical thinker — you connect the dots between national security priorities, funding trends, competitive dynamics, and internal technology capabilities
• Collaborative leader — you bring out the best in cross-functional teams and can influence without authority across a complex, matrixed organization
• Results-driven — you are accountable, metrics-oriented, and relentless in pursuing wins
• High integrity — you understand the ethical and compliance boundaries of government business development and operate with the highest standards
• Passion for the mission — you are energized by the intersection of advanced technology, national security, and the energy transition

Responsibilities

• Pipeline Development & Opportunity Identification
• Customer Engagement & Relationship Management
• Capture Management & Proposal Leadership
• Strategic Shaping & Thought Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Benefits

• GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation.
• Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services.
• Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants.
• Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.
• GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs
• GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion.
• No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level