Director - Business Development/RF

Trust Automation•San Luis Obispo, CA

About The Position

Trust Automation is seeking a results-driven and strategically focused Director - Business Development/RF to lead growth efforts across defense and government markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and advancing new business opportunities aligned with the company’s capabilities in advanced motion control, power management, RF systems integration, custom assemblies, and other mission-critical engineered solutions. The Director - Business Development/RF will play a key role in expanding customer relationships, strengthening pipeline development, supporting capture activities, and positioning Trust Automation for long-term growth in the defense sector. This individual will work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to align market opportunities with internal capabilities, customer needs, and overall company strategy. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of defense business development, government customer engagement, and complex technical solution selling. This role requires initiative, strong business judgment, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to manage both strategic and tactical priorities effectively.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Military Science, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Minimum of 10 years of business development, manufacturing, account management, or related experience within defense, aerospace, government contracting, or other highly technical industries.
Demonstrated success in developing and advancing complex business opportunities in defense or government markets.
Strong understanding of defense acquisition environments, customer structures, program lifecycles, and procurement pathways.
Experience engaging with prime contractors, government customers, program offices, integrators, and technical stakeholders.
Ability to understand and communicate complex technical solutions in a clear, customer-focused manner.
Experience supporting capture activities, strategic account development, and long sales-cycle pursuits.
Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and customer relationship management skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, opportunities, and internal stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment with engineering, operations, leadership, and customer-facing teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and standard pipeline or reporting tools.
Ability to travel as needed for customer visits, industry events, partner meetings, and program-related activities.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain any required security clearance.
This position may be asked to drive for company purposes during the course of employment. If asked and agreed upon, employees must possess a valid California Driver’s License and clean driving record.
May Participate in the identity verification process to access secure client or government portals by authorizing certified supplier or customer management platforms to obtain information from your personal credit profile or other information, solely to verify your identity.

Nice To Haves

Active security clearance.
Direct experience in defense manufacturing, motion control, power systems, RF systems, mission systems, or related technical solution environments.
Existing relationships with relevant defense agencies, prime contractors, or strategic partners.
Experience with IDIQ, OTA, SBIR, and other government acquisition or contracting pathways.
Prior military service or direct defense industry background.
Familiarity with programs involving counter-sUAS, radar, tracking, ruggedized systems, or integrated electromechanical solutions.
Experience working in a custom-engineered or advanced manufacturing environment.
Experience leading or mentoring business development efforts across multiple defense accounts or market segments.

Responsibilities

Lead business development efforts focused on defense and government customers, programs, and strategic growth initiatives.
Identify, qualify, and advance new business opportunities aligned with Trust Automation’s capabilities in motion control, power management, RF systems, tracking solutions, custom assemblies, and integrated subsystems.
Develop and execute account strategies, growth plans, and pursuit strategies to expand business within existing customers and open new defense market opportunities.
Build and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders, prime contractors, integrators, program teams, and strategic partners.
Conduct market analysis to identify customer priorities, emerging programs, funding shifts, acquisition opportunities, contract vehicles, and competitive activity.
Drive opportunity development from early-stage identification through qualification, capture support, proposal transition, and award positioning.
Support and help lead capture planning efforts, including customer mapping, competitor analysis, teaming strategies, and win themes.
Serve as the voice of the customer internally by communicating mission needs, technical requirements, procurement drivers, and program challenges to internal stakeholders.
Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, product development, and executive leadership to align customer opportunities with company capabilities and strategic direction.
Help shape solutions that address customer requirements while leveraging Trust Automation’s integrated design and manufacturing strengths.
Represent Trust Automation in customer meetings, industry events, trade shows, program reviews, and technical discussions.
Support the development of capability statements, customer briefings, strategic presentations, white papers, and other business development materials.
Maintain disciplined pipeline management, including opportunity tracking, forecast input, next-step ownership, and internal reporting.
Provide leadership with regular updates on pipeline health, customer engagement, market trends, competitive intelligence, and strategic risks and opportunities.
Support long-range defense growth initiatives, including partner development, contract positioning, and market expansion strategies.
Contribute to internal alignment around priority pursuits, resource needs, and business development processes.
Ensure all business development activity is conducted in accordance with company policy, defense market compliance requirements, and ethical business practices.