Defense Business Development Lead

Skyryse Open · verified Sep 11, 2026

El Segundo Senior Business Development

Senior Business Development role at Skyryse. El Segundo · $120,000–$150,000 base.

SalaryStated by Skyryse

$120,000 – $150,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

You'll map defense decision-makers, budget holders, program offices, and influence hubs across DoW and Congress
You'll research programs, funding routes, competitors, and emerging openings across the defense ecosystem
You'll build relationships with staff members, acquisition officials, program leaders, and warfighter users
You'll create briefings, stakeholder profiles, market assessments, and strategy memos for executives
You'll help advance pilots, prototypes, and competitive evaluations toward early program adoption

What you bring

At least four years in military service, consulting, banking, intelligence, defense strategy, corporate strategy, or a similar analytical setting
A record of creating network maps, pitch materials, market research, business cases, and ecosystem data analysis
The ability to turn unclear, wide-ranging questions into organized, actionable answers
A relevant bachelor's degree plus strong curiosity and the ability to learn technical subjects quickly

Who this fits

You’ll suit a research-minded operator who can move between defense strategy, stakeholder work, and execution. Interest in aviation, aerospace, and autonomy matters, while prior experience in those fields is not required. This is a full-time, on-site role based in El Segundo, California.

From the employer

We’re on a mission to make the skies safe and accessible for everyone. Our technology gives pilots greater control by simplifying the management of any aircraft during standard flight operations, inclement weather, and emergencies. Our SkyOS solution, rigorously and relentlessly developed by skilled and dedicated Skyrysers, is the key to unlocking this unbounded future. Our technology, combined with our commitment to saving lives and our passion for aviation, will empower everyone to experience the joy and freedom of flight.

DEFENSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD - EL SEGUNDO, CA

Skyryse is seeking an execution-driven Defense Business Development Lead to support our defense commercialization efforts. This is a utility role for a high-horsepower operator who can move fluidly across research, strategy, stakeholder mapping, and execution.

The role operates at the intersection of government relations, acquisition strategy, product positioning, and market creation. Core responsibilities include mapping the defense landscape, identifying decision-makers and budget pathways, and developing the insights that inform how Skyryse engages the defense community.

This is a full-time onsite opportunity based out of El Segundo.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Build and maintain a detailed power map of decision-makers, budget owners, program offices, and influence centers across DoW and Congress.
Conduct landscape analysis and data mining across the defense ecosystem to identify programs, funding pathways, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities.
Support the development and execution of Skyryse's defense commercialization strategy across DoW and related agencies.
Develop and manage a stakeholder network spanning Professional Staff Members, acquisition officials, program leaders, and warfighter end users.
Produce briefing materials, stakeholder dossiers, market analyses, and strategic memos that inform executive decision-making.
Track competitor activity, industry trends, and acquisition signals to sharpen positioning and uncover opportunities.
Support coordinated efforts across government relations, advisory board development, lobbying partners, PR, and competitive positioning.
Partner with Product, Engineering, and Leadership to align messaging and positioning with defense and commercial needs.
Drive early program adoption through pilots, prototypes, and competitive evaluations.
Take on ad hoc strategic projects to support executive priorities as the company scales.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

4+ years of experience across military service (Army, Marine Corps, or other branches), management consulting, banking, the Intelligence Community, defense strategy, corporate strategy, or comparable analytical or operational environments.
Proven track record building network maps, pitching materials, landscape analysis, building business cases, and data mining complex ecosystems to surface relationships, decision pathways, and opportunities.
Strong research skills with the ability to turn sprawling, ambiguous problems into clear, structured answers.
High intellectual horsepower and curiosity, with a demonstrated ability to learn new technical domains quickly.
Genuine interest in aviation, aerospace, and autonomy; prior domain experience not required.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Background in the U.S. Intelligence Community, particularly in roles involving network analysis, target development, or all-source landscape assessment.
Familiarity with how warfighter requirements become programs of record (e.g., JCIDS, requirements generation, PPBE budget cycles).
Familiarity with DoW acquisition processes, budget cycles, or government funding pathways.
Exposure to defense technology, dual-use technology, or high-growth startup environments.
Experience supporting government relations or lobbying efforts.
Interest in or exposure to crewed, unmanned, or autonomous aviation systems and how they are evaluated and funded across DoW acquisition pathways.

WHY SKYRYSE?

The opportunity to change the world through improving aviation safety and accessibility
Compensation Range: $120,000 - $150,000
Valuable stock option plan
Heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision plans
Full-time employees are eligible for 20 days of paid time off (PTO) and 5 sick days annually. PTO and sick days must be used in accordance with Company policy.
A company with an ambitious vision, a dynamic work environment, and a team of smart, motivated, and fun to work-with colleagues!

WE WELCOME ALL
Skyryse is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

NO AGENCY CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED.