RTI is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Business Development Manager– Defense to lead and expand our presence within the global Defense market. This critical role drives strategic growth by aligning RTI’s advanced software frameworks with key Defense modernization priorities and emerging technology initiatives.  

The critical first objective is to expand and capitalize on RTI’s strong established position in defense systems. So, we seek an experienced Defense BD Manager capable of navigating the traditional defense primes, government acquisition processes and PEOs, and the expanding DIU-led commercial defense industry players. You will work closely with internal teams and external partners to identify, shape, and capture business with customers building smart systems funded by both government-sponsored procurement and commercial business models.

The Opportunity

RTI provides infrastructure software that powers mission-critical, intelligent distributed systems. Our technology is deployed worldwide in over 500 defense programs, spanning C-UAS, autonomy, swarm control, air and ship defense, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) initiatives.  

The Defense market is characterized by long lead times, complex stakeholder networks, and influence-driven procurement. As a Sr. Manager, you will:

Find early-stage initiatives for procurements and DIU “Area of Interest” opportunities Engage and team strategically with prime contractors and commercial providers who pursue these opportunities Develop the opportunities sufficiently to hand off to the sales team for pursuit and closing ✨ What You’ll Do Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy aligned with DoD priorities and RTI’s core strengths in distributed systems to build sales pipeline. Lead, contribute, and build a defense BD team that: Spans air, sea, and ground smart systems Targets our opportunities in the top DoD priorities: C-UAS, autonomy, swarm control, air defense, ship defense, JADC2, and MOSA. Identifies, qualifies, and shapes government-sponsored initiatives, technology programs, and funding opportunities, including Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements. Maintains deep market intelligence on DoD trends, procurement cycles, and competitive landscapes. Collaborate closely with internal Account Managers and Field Application Engineers (FAEs) in cross-functional capture teams to develop winning strategies and proposals. Work with internal teams and external partners to strategically position RTI technologies as integral components of funded and commercial solutions. Develop winning teaming strategies, white papers, and technical positioning aligned with customer needs and procurement models. Maintain deep market intelligence on procurement cycles, industry trends, and competitive positioning. Coordinate with retained advisors internationally who act as BD counterparts, integrating their efforts into local sales initiatives. Represent RTI at industry events, conferences, and key customer engagements.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At RTI, we are dedicated to building a fair and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t perfectly align with all qualifications in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may be just the right candidate for this or another one of our open roles. Learn more about our commitment to our workforce, here!