Director of Business Development

Englewood, CO | Full-Time, Exempt | Reports to CEO

Sodern America, Inc. (SAM) is the newly established U.S. subsidiary of Sodern SA, a France-based leader in optronic and star tracker systems for space and defense applications (including the Auriga, Hydra, and Horus product lines). Headquartered in the Englewood, Colorado aerospace corridor, SAM is standing up U.S. operations, manufacturing, and support dedicated to the U.S. market. This is a founding-team role, you'll help build SAM's U.S. commercial presence and customer relationships from the ground up.

Overview

As Director of Business Development, you will lead and execute SAM's U.S. revenue growth strategy, owning the full sales lifecycle from market development and prospect identification through proposal and contract negotiation. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will build and lead a high-performing sales team while personally driving strategic customer engagements, serving as the primary commercial leader for the U.S. market and partnering closely with a Mission Manager on post-contract delivery.

Core Responsibilities

Develop and execute SAM's annual and multi-year U.S. sales strategy, aligned with company growth objectives
Identify, originate, and close sales opportunities within the U.S. market, including lead generation, opportunity identification, and competitive intelligence
Maintain and grow relationships with Sodern's existing U.S. customers, driving retention and expansion and represent SAM at trade shows and industry events
Develop and manage proposals and complex commercial offers, coordinating internal resources and Sodern France's technical team
Own the full sales business cycle, including CRM implementation, sales forecasting, and performance / KPI tracking and reporting
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing sales team, including hiring, performance expectations, and accountability
Communicate clearly and frequently with the CEO about activities, duties, and developments

What You Bring

Bachelor's degree required; engineering degree preferred
10+ years of sales experience in aerospace and defense including 5+ years in a leadership role
Strong presentation and negotiation skills, with experience interacting with contractors, buyers, and customers
Strong understanding of formal procurement processes and RFP response / proposal management
Financial acumen including pricing models, margin analysis, and contract structures
Background in engineering preferred; knowledge of AOCS engineering, star tracker system architecture, and optronics is an advantage
Proficiency in CRM systems and sales analytics tools

Salary range and benefits: $165,000 – $195,000. The salary range represents the low and high end of the Sodern America, Inc. salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, knowledge, and ability as applicable to the role.

SAM currently offers health, dental, and vision insurance; basic life and disability coverage; retirement benefits; additional supplemental benefits; and paid time off. These benefits are subject to change at the Company's discretion.

Application Instructions: The application deadline is August 31, 2026. Please submit your resume and optional cover letter expressing why you are a good candidate for the position. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.

Important Notice: To conform to U.S. Government export control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Sodern America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

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