Business Development Senior Project Leader- International Programs

The Aerospace Corporation • Arlington, VA

120d • $195,000 - $230,000

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial, objective advisor, with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow technical programs within NASA, NOAA, NNSA, and other Federal agencies, while extending our capabilities to other non-Federal organizations and international allies and partners, when in the national interest. The Civil Systems Group is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Business Development Senior Project Leader, International Programs (Senior Project Leader - Business Development Strategy & Planning) for technical business development in the international civil/military dual-use space sector. This individual will serve as a critical interface between our technical teams, program leadership, and international customer base, driving growth through strategy, capture, and execution of complex system engineering and integration engagements for CSG's International Space Programs portfolio. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with business acumen to lead pipeline development, shape bids and proposals, and drive strategic account management across international space markets. This role requires deep understanding of U.S. and allied space cooperation frameworks, Department of Defense (DoD) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) pathways, and export control regulations. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, VA, Chantilly, VA, or Greenbelt, MD.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in STEM from an accredited program
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible technical experience including direct hands-on experience in business development, account management and program management roles with civil agencies and/or the commercial sector, preferably with employment experience with an FFRDC, UARC, or federally funded laboratory
• Strong knowledge of BD strategy and planning, capture management, pipeline development, and account management
• Experience with international business development in the civil and military space domains, that spans a broad set of international customers and private sector organizations.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government acquisition processes, DoD FMS/DCS, and international defense/space cooperation frameworks
• Working knowledge of export control regimes (ITAR/EAR) and compliance requirements for international programs
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and cross-cultural collaboration skills
• Ability to work both as part of a geographically distributed team and autonomously
• Experience managing business development investment budgets, allocations, and reporting
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft 365 and related collaboration technologies
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time to support customer engagements
• This position requires at least a current and active secret clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in an engineering discipline and/or business administration
• Direct experience supporting U.S. Government and allied space programs.
• Knowledge of international space agency priorities, multilateral partnerships, and international space market dynamics.
• Experience using CRM platforms (e.g., MS Dynamics, Salesforce) for BD pipeline management
• Active TS/SCI security clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead technical business development activities for international civil/military and dual-use space programs
• Develop, refine, and execute business development (BD) strategies, account plans, and go-to-market approaches by country/region
• Drive capture planning, bid and proposal development, and technical solution shaping in alignment with customer requirements and corporate growth priorities
• Manage the BD pipeline, metrics, and reporting through CRM and BI tools
• Cultivate and manage relationships with U.S. Government stakeholders, international partners and allies
• Navigate U.S. DoD FMS and DCS pathways to enable program development with U.S. partner nations
• Ensure compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and related export control frameworks
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, and legal/compliance teams to structure international offerings
• Represent the company in international forums, industry working groups, and government/partner engagements

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree