Director of Business Development

SBQuantum

35d•$160,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

SBQuantum (ZeroDrift Technologies) builds diamond-based vectorial quantum magnetometers that, combined with AI-driven interpretation, deliver precision magnetic intelligence where GPS, radar, and sonar fail — enabling magnetic navigation (MagNav), anomaly detection, and mapping for defense, aerospace, autonomous systems, and space. We're a 25-person team of physicists, engineers, and data scientists, recently funded and scaling. We've moved past the lab: sensors are sold and deployed with government customers, and paid pilots are underway with defense and aerospace partners, while our sensing hardware is already orbiting the Earth in LEO.

Requirements

10+ years in a business development, capture, program management, and/or technology/engineering role within aerospace & defense, of which at least 5 years are in a BD or capture role selling complex hardware, sensors, or navigation/PNT systems into defense primes, government customers, or aerospace OEMs.
Up to 5 of the 10 years of experience may come from military service in roles tied to the acquisition and deployment of new technologies.
Demonstrated ownership of long-cycle capture efforts ($500K+) involving test and qualification phases, from opportunity identification through award.
Experience driving proposal development in partnership with proposal/pricing teams — translating capture strategy and win themes into compliant, compelling responses.
Experience with DoD/DoW acquisition frameworks (FAR/DFARS, RFI/RFP/BAA/CSO/ OTA vehicles) and managing the capture-to-contract lifecycle for complex hardware programs.
A real network within US defense primes, INS manufacturers, or autonomous platform makers, with demonstrated relationships across at least two of these three ecosystems.
Proven ability to structure and negotiate NDAs, teaming/ joint-development agreements, and strategic partnerships that position the company for prime and subcontract pursuits.
Technical depth to engage chief engineers credibly — engineering/physics degree preferred or equivalent hands-on domain experience, plus the ability to learn fast, never bluff, and translate complex trade-offs for customers and internal teams alike.
Familiarity with the full hardware product lifecycle — concept through qualification and production — and what it takes to win and sustain programs of record.
Proficiency with CRM software and disciplined pipeline management, forecasting, and opportunity tracking.
Working familiarity with ITAR and export control (EAR) requirements as they apply to handling technical data, quoting, and teaming.
Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in engineering, physics, business, management, or a related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of the degree only (does not offset the 10+ year experience noted above).
US citizenship (clearance eligibility required; active or prior clearance a strong asset).
Comfort operating solo in ambiguity — you'll build the playbook, not follow one.

Nice To Haves

Magnetometry, inertial navigation or alternative-PNT experience.
Startup experience selling into primes.
Canadian defense procurement exposure.
Established presence at industry events (AUSA, JNC, Sea-Air-Space, AUVSI, ...).
Advanced degree (engineering, physics, or MBA).
Military experience working with new technologies

Responsibilities

Own full-cycle capture with primes, INS developers, and drone OEMs — build relationships with program managers and chief engineers; structure and negotiate JDAs, funded evaluations, and test-and-trial programs with paths to production commitments.
Pursue relevant US and Canadian government opportunities and represent us at key PNT and defense events (ION, JNC, AUVSI).
Be the voice of the market: translate program requirements into our roadmap, working directly with our engineering and product development teams.
Build the commercial infrastructure we'll scale with — capture plans, CRM discipline, pricing and proposal frameworks — and help define the next commercial hires you'll eventually lead.