Leads aerospace and defense business development, identifying government funding and shaping requirements before solicitations. Builds relationships with defense agencies, labs, congressional staff, and prime contractors; selects rapid contracting pathways; leads capture, proposals, pricing, and IP strategy; transitions prototypes into production and programs of record; forecasts pipeline and closes high-value government orders. Requires strong defense contracting knowledge, government networks, proposal-writing ability, technical aptitude, and approximately 50% travel.