Business Development Director, Optical Systems (Aerospace)

Location: Long Beach, California, United States; based at hirify.global's global headquarters. The role supports up to 50% domestic and international travel. U.S. office work is subject to ITAR eligibility requirements.

Base salary: $187,000–$280,000 USD annually. Total compensation, including equity: $257,000–$405,000 USD annually.

Company

hirify.global builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical space subsystems for government and commercial missions.

What you will do

• Serve as the primary interface between laser communications and optical payload customers and engineering, production, and management teams.
• Respond to customer technical inquiries and maintain customer-facing technical documentation with engineering support.
• Draft proposals, compliance matrices, quotes, export license applications, and responses to BAAs, RFIs, and RFPs.
• Develop relationships with customers, teaming partners, and industry associations to drive partnerships and new business.
• Track leads, opportunities, pipeline performance, forecasts, KPIs, and product-level demand using Salesforce and internal tools.
• Analyze satellite markets and competitors, guide capture teams on technical, pricing, and contractual issues, and manage bid and proposal budgets.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical discipline.
• 12+ years of business development, program management, or systems engineering experience in aerospace.
• Experience working or selling in the national security space sector, including SCI and SAP/SAR programs.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• For U.S. office work, candidates must meet applicable ITAR eligibility or authorization requirements.
• Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel of up to 50%.

Nice to have

• Experience with the National Reconnaissance Office, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, or Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
• Experience selling to U.S. national security and civil space customers, including Space Force, NRO, SDA, NASA, and NOAA.
• Experience designing, manufacturing, or testing optical payloads and laser communications systems.
• Experience with space product roadmaps, R&D investment, sales management, CRM software, and corporate finance.
• Master's degree in aerospace or a related engineering field.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced environment focused on innovation, teamwork, tight deadlines, and delivering complex space missions.
• Company stock and an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with HSA contributions.
• Paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Additional perks include EV charging, fitness facilities where available, gym discounts, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.