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Senior Vice President of Business Development

Karman Space & Defense

Karman Space & Defense

Sales & Business Development
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Posted on Feb 6, 2026

SUMMARY

The Sr. Vice President of Business Development role oversees market and product growth and leads the business development team and corporate strategy for Space and Defense markets. The Sr. VP, Business Development is responsible for sales growth with a focus on integrated subsystem solutions that include the combined capabilities and technologies across the organization. They work with the Business Development team to identify and capture the addressable market in Karman’s three markets: Space & Launch, Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense, and Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems. The Sr. VP, Business Development reports to the Chief Growth Officer.

ABOUT US

Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Tuition Reimbursement*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead Business Development team to achieve sales growth targets in Karman’s markets: Space & Launch, Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense, and Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems.
  • Develop product and market growth strategies to achieve new opportunities (leads), contacts, proposals, and/or bookings for new programs, new customers, and new scope.
  • Lead Karman corporate strategy and initiatives
  • Management and leadership of team supporting business capture
  • Drive strategic relationships with key decision makers, including US government customers
  • Development of new customers
  • Strong rapport with corporate, engineering, and business operations team
  • Strong meeting and conference presence
  • Frequent travel and face to face time with key customers

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, advanced degrees is a plus
  • Extensive experience in strategic planning and business development, with a track record of driving growth and profitability in a senior leadership position
  • Exceptional leadership skills to inspire and manage a team, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Experience in business development, technologies, and/or program management in the field of Hypersonics or Strategic Platforms related products in Space and Defense markets
  • 15+ years’ experience in leadership position for business development, business strategy, or business management
  • Experience with annual and multi-year revenue and booking projections based on current and developing business and government funding and priorities
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, negotiate complex deals, and present strategic plans to the executive team and board of directors
  • Key related Prime Contractor, End-User/Government, and Customer Relationships
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have or be able to obtain a Security Clearance

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Frequent travel and face to face time with key customers

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

As a federal contractor, Karman Space & Defense is committed to compliance with all federal employment eligibility requirements. We participate in E-Verify, a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. As an E-Verify employer, federal compliance mandates that we require documentation to verify your identity and employment authorization upon hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.