Vice President, Corporate Development – Defense & National Security

job description

We are a pioneering force in the defense industrial base, redefining how mission-critical components are designed and produced through advanced manufacturing and next-generation materials. By moving away from legacy supply chains toward decentralized, rapid production, we empower aerospace and government organizations to maintain a technological edge. As we expand our Washington, D.C. presence, we are seeking a mission-driven leader to align our innovative industrial workflows with national defense priorities and scale our strategic footprint.

What You’ll Do

Support Key Defense Programs

• Engage with program leads across the DoD, USAF, Army, and Navy to align advanced material and additive manufacturing capabilities with modernization priorities.

• Navigate acquisition pathways, prototyping efforts, and transition strategies to integrate our technology into mission-critical domains like hypersonics and propulsion.

Drive Strategic Cooperation with OEMs

• Build senior-level relationships with major primes (e.g., Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman) to identify qualification and integration opportunities.

• Manage technical and commercial alignment for joint development and industrialization programs.

Engage with Venture Capital & Strategic Investors

• Develop a network with defense-oriented VCs and national security investment programs to identify growth and co-investment opportunities.

• Support corporate financing strategy and provide intelligence on supply chain trends and potential M&A targets.

Corporate Development & Strategic Growth

• Lead initiatives to expand our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem, evaluating M&A opportunities and licensing models.

• Shape long-term strategy based on geopolitical shifts, defense budgets, and OEM qualification roadmaps.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 7+ years in corporate development, strategic partnerships, or defense innovation within advanced manufacturing.

• Technical Fluency: Deep understanding of qualification, certification, and industrialization processes in aerospace and defense.

• Network: Strong existing connections across the DoD, major OEMs, and Tier 1 integrators.

• Procurement Knowledge: Familiarity with OTAs, prototyping programs, and technology transition processes.

• Security: U.S. citizenship and the ability to hold/obtain a security clearance.

• Location: Washington, D.C. (Strategic hub).

About the Role

As the VP of Corporate Development, reporting directly to the CEO, you are the strategic bridge between government requirements, OEM production lines, and the investment community. You will be tasked with navigating the profound shift in the U.S. defense ecosystem toward resilient, distributed manufacturing. This role is not just about high-level deal-making; it requires a technically literate leader who can dive into material qualification standards and emerge with a commercial strategy that secures our place in the future of the industrial base.