Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

What We’re Looking For:

If you have extensive experience in government business development within the defense, intelligence, or federal civilian sectors, you will be excited about the Business Development Director opportunity with Iridium. In this role, you will be responsible for driving strategic growth for Authentic across U.S. federal, state, and local agencies and allied partners, including DoD, the Intelligence Community, DHS, and Five Eyes governments. You will lead major initiatives that strengthen Authentic’s position in critical mission domains such as continuity of operations, cybersecurity compliance, tactical edge communications, and secure authentication.

Your main focus will be developing and executing a comprehensive government go‑to‑market strategy, building high‑value relationships, and advancing funded program pursuits. You’ll bring enthusiasm for leading and mentoring, a passion for expanding government channels, and a strong desire to shape strategic outcomes for both Authentic and Iridium.

What You’ll Do:

Foster and develop a highly effective network of government stakeholders and program influencers to expand Authentic's reach across target agencies.
Manage high impact business development activities spanning DoD, the Intelligence Community, DHS, and civilian agencies.
Oversee the development and execution of government go to market plans and ensure alignment with broader Iridium strategies.
Inform product development and management efforts with insights and intelligence on pain points and market requirements
Direct analysis efforts to identify funded programs and mission needs where Authentic provides differentiated value, including JADC2, COOP/DR, zero trust mandates, and CMMC.
Utilize broad knowledge of federal procurement to assess and direct strategy across BOAs, IDIQs, OTAs, and program of record pursuits.
Be responsible for building and nurturing relationships with program managers, acquisition officers, cybersecurity leaders, and government prime contractors.
Work independently to identify, prioritize, and pursue large scale capture opportunities in secure communications and cybersecurity.
Function as a senior government liaison, representing Authentic at major conferences and engagements such as AFCEA, AUSA, and DoDIIS.
Be accountable for pipeline development, reporting, forecasting, and risk analysis for executive leadership. Achieve stated revenue targets.
Make decisions for teaming strategies, capture plans, and proposal development.
Develop clear, compelling proposals, white papers, and RFI responses in partnership with product and engineering teams.
Drive collaboration with Iridium's existing government sales channels, ensuring integrated pursuit strategies.
Respond to evolving government cybersecurity and communications mandates and craft solutions that position Authentic as mission critical.
Lead international government opportunity development across allied Five Eyes partners and others.
Identify strategic opportunities that strengthen both government market penetration and commercial adoption.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, political science, cybersecurity, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.
15+ years of relevant experience in the government business development industry.
Existing security clearance
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information, drive discussion, and respond to difficult scenarios with limited preparation across all employee groups.
Capable of being a strong motivator and source of direction for your team while exemplifying commitment to shared goals.
Have a people-oriented mentality and actively promote cross functional team building.
Able to confidently drive discussions, raise support for key ideas, and tailor communication style to senior military, civilian, and technical audiences.
Possess the creativity, resourcefulness, and decisiveness needed to manage risks and respond to critical situations.
Strong sense of urgency in driving pursuits to completion and motivation to achieve strategic outcomes.
Excellent prioritization skills with the ability to coordinate activities across multiple groups and initiatives.

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

Experience with cybersecurity government programs
Prior military officer or senior NCO background in acquisition or program leadership.
Existing relationships with defense primes for potential teaming arrangements.
Knowledge of JADC2 architecture, IL4/IL5 authorization processes, or national security cryptographic requirements.
Relevant certifications such as PMP or DAWIA.

We’ll also need you to:

Be able to work in the office at least 4 or more days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders
Be able to travel as needed for conferences, customer engagements, and government meetings
This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizen

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $235,000 - $306,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

About the company

Iridium Communications provides global mobile satellite services. It operates a constellation of low-Earth-orbit, cross-linked satellites that offer voice and data coverage anywhere on the globe, including areas without terrestrial networks. Users connect via satellites through compatible devices to reach ground networks and partners, enabling reliable communications in remote or challenging environments. The company serves commercial markets and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, through a worldwide partner network. Iridium differentiates itself by offering truly pole-to-pole coverage with a global satellite network that remains accessible where ground networks do not reach, along with secure, mission-critical services. The goal is to deliver dependable, secure communications globally for customers in industries like maritime, aviation, utilities, oil and gas, mining, public safety, and transportation, and to grow its customer base and partner ecosystem.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

McLean, Virginia

Founded

2000

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Stockholders approved Rocket Lab's acquisition on September 24 2026, reducing closing uncertainty.
July 2026 PNT ASIC demand topped 150 organizations, signaling real commercial traction.
Iridium added 2.627 million billable subscribers in Q2 2026, up 6% year over year.

What critics are saying

FCC approval remains outstanding; a denial kills the Rocket Lab acquisition and rerates Iridium.
July 22 2026 earnings showed adjusted EPS $0.09, below estimates, pressuring valuation.
Commercial IoT drives subscriber growth; a downturn there quickly slows revenue expansion.

What makes Iridium Communications unique

Iridium runs the only global L-band satellite network, with 2026 spectrum and subscribers.
Its PNT ASIC, launched July 14 2026, targets jamming-resistant timing for critical devices.
Aireon adds space-based ADS-B surveillance, deepening aviation safety and government relationships.

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Benefits

Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

13%

1 year growth

13%

2 year growth

13%

Yahoo Finance

Oct 20th, 2026

Iridium beats Q3 forecasts with $245.7M revenue and $106.9M net income

Iridium Communications Inc. reported third-quarter net income of $106.9 million on Tuesday, or 98 cents per share. Adjusted for non-recurring gains, earnings were 38 cents per share. The McLean, Virginia-based satellite phone company beat Wall Street expectations. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research had forecast earnings of 29 cents per share. Revenue reached $245.7 million, ahead of the $240.8 million analysts expected.

Yahoo Finance

Oct 15th, 2026

Rocket Lab retail sentiment hits record low as Neutron slips to 2027, with Iridium's $1.47B deal in focus

Rocket Lab pushed the first flight of its Neutron rocket into 2027 after finding manufacturing defects in a carbon-composite tank dome. Its shares fell 8% on Wednesday, their sixth straight losing session, and retail sentiment on Stocktwits hit a record low. Chief executive officer Peter Beck said tiny air pockets formed in thicker sections added during a redesign. The company expects to finish a replacement front dome before year-end, then test the first-stage tank in the first quarter of 2027. Investors are looking to takeover target Iridium Communications. Combined 2025 sales would be $1.47 billion, and Iridium earned $114.4 million in net income while Rocket Lab lost $198.2 million. The deal, valued at a notional $54 per Iridium share, is under regulatory review and expected to close in mid-2027.

PR Newswire

Oct 14th, 2026

Altair adds Iridium satellite connectivity to its ALT1350 and ALT1550 IoT chipsets

Altair Semiconductor is integrating Iridium NTN Direct into its ALT1350 and next-generation ALT1550 cellular IoT chipsets, Iridium Communications announced on October 14, 2026. The integration puts terrestrial cellular and Iridium satellite connectivity on a single chipset. Device makers, module makers, and mobile network operators can extend IoT coverage beyond terrestrial networks without adding a separate satellite modem. The ALT1350 suits uses such as asset tracking, smart metering, agriculture, and vehicle telematics. The ALT1550 targets AI-powered 5G eRedCap devices, including smart glasses and other wearables. Iridium NTN Direct uses the company's low Earth orbit satellite constellation and L-band spectrum to deliver 3GPP standards-based connectivity. Altair joins a growing ecosystem of partners bringing the service to market.

Iridium Communications

Oct 14th, 2026

Altair Semiconductor Integrates Iridium NTN Direct into ALT1350 and ALT1550 Cellular IoT Chipsets

Press releases. Altair Semiconductor integrates Iridium NTN Direct into ALT1350 and ALT1550 cellular IoT chipsets. MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, aircraft surveillance, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced that Altair Semiconductor, a world leader in cellular IoT chips, is integrating Iridium NTN Direct(SM) capability into Altair's ALT1350 and next-generation ALT1550 IoT chipset platforms. With terrestrial cellular IoT and Iridium satellite connectivity on a single chipset, device manufacturers, module makers and mobile network operators (MNOs) will be able to extend IoT connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial networks through the Iridium satellite network, without adding a separate satellite modem to their designs. The partnership combines Altair's cellular IoT chipset technology, among the most highly integrated low-power connectivity solutions available, with Iridium's 3GPP standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) service, giving device manufacturers another chipset option for products that need connectivity beyond terrestrial cellular coverage. With the ultra-low-power ALT1350, these connectivity requirements can include asset tracking, logistics, smart metering and utilities, agriculture, vehicle telematics, industrial monitoring and remote infrastructure. With the ALT1550, these capabilities extend to a new generation of AI-powered 5G eRedCap devices, such as smart glasses, AI assistants and other wearables, that need to stay connected wherever they go. "Altair has deep experience developing highly integrated, low-power IoT solutions, and we're excited to work together to extend their reach with Iridium's truly global satellite network," said Tim Last, executive vice president, Iridium. "As a market leader in satellite IoT, Iridium is offering device manufacturers a powerful new way to develop connected products. Integrating Iridium NTN Direct into Altair's chipsets will enable solutions and applications that require reliable, low-power connectivity beyond the limits of terrestrial networks." "Adding Iridium NTN Direct to our ultra-low-power LTE-M/NB-IoT ALT1350 and 5G eRedCap ALT1550 chipsets reflects our commitment to giving customers greater flexibility in how and where their IoT devices connect," said Dima Feldman, VP Product Management and Marketing, Altair Semiconductor. "With Iridium's truly global LEO satellite connectivity alongside terrestrial cellular, device manufacturers can more easily develop solutions that will reliably work anywhere they're deployed." Iridium NTN Direct leverages Iridium's fully operational, LEO satellite constellation and globally coordinated L-band spectrum to extend standards-based connectivity beyond terrestrial networks. The service is designed to support NB-IoT and direct-to-device (D2D) applications using compatible 3GPP standards-based chipsets, providing MNOs, chipset manufacturers and device makers with a path to extend connectivity through the Iridium satellite network. Altair joins a growing ecosystem of partners bringing the Iridium NTN Direct service to market. A combination of chipmakers, module manufacturers, OEMs, device makers, and IoT developers is leading the next generation of NTN-cellular integration with Iridium NTN Direct. About Iridium Communications Inc. Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network. It serves as a platform for innovation, enabling voice, data, and messaging, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and aircraft surveillance services anywhere on Earth. Through its satellite constellation and integrated capabilities like Aireon, the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system, Iridium delivers services that support safety-focused operations across aviation, maritime, government, industrial, and consumer markets. The company is a leader in satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is advancing direct-to-device (D2D) communications based on open standards to expand access to satellite services. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium innovates through an ecosystem of more than 500 technology and distribution partners, serving millions of customers worldwide. For more information visit www.iridium.com. Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to Iridium Communications Inc.. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the timing of commercial availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service, the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 12, 2026, and the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on July 22, 2026, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. | Press Contact: | Investor Contact: | | Jordan Hassin | Kenneth Levy | | Iridium Communications Inc. Iridium Communications Inc. | | [email protected] | [email protected] | | +1 (703) 287-7421 | +1 (703) 287-7570 | SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc. Quick Links

PR Newswire

Sep 1st, 2026

Furuno launches SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS maritime safety communications

Furuno Electric has unveiled its SOLION-100 terminal for Iridium GMDSS, combining Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Ship Security Alert System, and Long-Range Identification and Tracking capabilities in a single platform. The terminal uses Iridium Certus 100 technology and operates on Iridium's low-Earth orbit satellite network, providing global coverage including polar regions. Iridium GMDSS became operational in 2020 after International Maritime Organization recognition, marking the first new satellite GMDSS provider since the system's establishment. The service supports maritime safety communications from navigational warnings to distress alerts and direct voice contact with rescue coordination centres. The SOLION-100 will be available for retrofit applications in late 2026, with newbuild project availability expected in 2027. The announcement was made at SMM Hamburg in September 2026.

Iridium Communications

Business Development Director - Government & Critical Assets

About the job

Company Overview

What We’re Looking For:

What You’ll Do:

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

We’ll also need you to:

Work Environment:

About the company

Get referred to Iridium Communications

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Iridium Communications unique

Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth