Senior Principal, Business Development – Air Force Strategy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead Divergent's strategic engagement with the Department of the Air Force and foster long-term business growth alongside key industry partners.

• Formulate and implement Divergent's Air Force strategy.

• Identify and cultivate transformational partnership opportunities.

• Influence corporate growth initiatives and secure strategic programs that accelerate the adoption of the Divergent Adaptive Production System across Air Force missions.

• Act as a senior advisor to executive leadership regarding Air Force market strategy.

• Manage strategic relationships within the Air Force and defense industry, driving long-term account growth.

• Develop and execute strategies for account growth across various Department of the Air Force organizations and mission areas.

• Identify mission requirements, acquisition pathways, funding opportunities, executive stakeholders, and strategic partnerships.

• Provide advisory support to executive leadership on market trends, competitive positioning, customer priorities, and strategic investments.

• Lead enterprise-level business development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion efforts.

• Oversee the capture and negotiation of significant partnerships and programs; support proposal strategies through to contract award.

• Deliver strategic leadership across Business Development, Capture, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Executive Leadership.

• Represent Divergent to senior leaders in the Department of the Air Force, industry executives, and strategic partners.

• Prepare executive briefings, customer engagement strategies, and presentation materials.

• Identify strategic risks and competitive threats and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Maintain CRM, action tracker, and program documentation records.

• Ensure compliance with ITAR, DFARS, and relevant aerospace and defense standards.

• Develop executive reporting, pipeline forecasts, growth metrics, dashboards, and KPIs.

• Enhance business development, capture, and strategic partnership processes while establishing organizational best practices.

⛳️ Requirements

• Senior leadership experience within or in support of the U.S. Air Force, with a comprehensive understanding of Air Force strategy, acquisition pathways, organizational structure, funding, and operational priorities.

• Proven track record in leading business development, strategic partnerships, and growth initiatives within the national security or defense sector.

• Experience in developing and executing long-term business strategies that drive measurable organizational growth.

• Experience in influencing executive-level decision-making and shaping long-term business strategies within the U.S. Department of Defense ecosystem.

• Strong knowledge of advanced manufacturing, defense innovation ecosystems, sustainment, and modernization programs.

• Exceptional communication skills and executive presence, engaging with senior government leaders, industry executives, engineering organizations, and executive leadership teams.

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and guiding complex strategic initiatives from concept through execution.

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, including opportunity identification, risk assessment, and business solution development.

• Capability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.

• Knowledge of additive manufacturing applications and/or munition weapon systems is preferred.

• Active DoD Security Clearance is preferred.

• Established relationships with senior Department of the Air Force leadership, defense industry executives, and major prime contractors are preferred.

• Experience in supporting or leading strategic capture efforts for large, complex defense programs is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary.

• Equity plan.

• Discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities.

• Paid vacation.

• Paid sick time.

• Company holidays.

• Year-end shutdown.

• Paid parental leave.

• HMO and Premium PPO health insurance options.

• Company-sponsored life insurance.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Learning and development reimbursement opportunities.

• Collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing work environment.