Vice President of Business Development - Air Force

Job Description & Responsibilities

Persistent Systems is seeking an experienced, high-impact Vice President of Business Development, Air Force & Intelligence Community to lead strategy, pipeline growth, and capture execution across Department of the Air Force (USAF/USSF) and IC accounts.

In this executive leadership role, you will be responsible for expanding Persistent Systems’ market share by shaping operational requirements, capturing major defense programs of record, and driving adoption of our mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) and tactical edge compute solutions. You will lead a dedicated team of business development professionals, cultivate senior-level Department of Defense (DoD) and IC relationships, and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical capability to the warfighter.

Position Responsibilities 

• Architect and execute comprehensive capture and business development strategies to aggressively expand revenue and pipeline across Air Force, Space Force, and Intelligence Community programs
• Directly lead, develop, and mentor the regional BD and sales team based in Fort Collins, CO, setting performance targets and fostering high-accountability execution
• Engage operational users, program offices, and requirements authorities early in the capability life cycle to position Wave Relay® MANET and edge compute solutions into emerging system architectures and operational concepts (e.g., Agile Combat Employment, ABMS)
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across the DoD and IC enterprise, from operational operators and program managers to General Officer and Senior Executive Service (SES) leadership
• Partner closely with Bid & Proposal, Product Management, and Engineering teams to develop winning technical, management, and pricing strategies for competitive solicitations and sole-source transitions
• Identify and secure participation in high-visibility military exercises, demonstrations, and T&E events (e.g., Project Convergence, ABMS Onramps, service-level operational experiments) to validate capabilities and accelerate procurement
• Oversee strategic accounts to maximize follow-on hardware, software, and engineering services revenue while ensuring programmatic alignment with customer delivery milestones
• Select and direct external consultants, strategic industry partners, and lobbying advisors to maximize reach into key program offices and congressional defense committees
• Deliver compelling, high-level technical and operational briefings to senior defense officials, industry partners, and internal executive leadership

Job Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of proven business development, capture management, or program management experience within the defense and aerospace sector
• Deep domain familiarity with Radio Frequency (RF) communications, tactical IP networking, and mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) concepts
• Working knowledge of CJADC2 architecture, ABMS, and airborne/tactical sensor networks
• Demonstrated track record of identifying, shaping, and closing multi-million-dollar defense programs of record, Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) pathways, and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards
• Proven leadership experience managing direct reports and cross-functional teams (e.g., Sales Engineers, Capture Managers)
• Ability to travel up to 60% domestically to customer sites, test events, and company facilities
• Clearance: Active U.S. Secret clearance required; must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), systems engineering, or national security studies
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) certifications in Program Management (Practitioner/Advanced) or Contracting
• Prior military or civilian leadership experience within the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, or an Intelligence Community agency
• Established working relationships with key acquisition centers, including Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), and Space Systems Command (SSC)
• 15+ years of defense industry business development experience with a verifiable record of quota overachievement and large-scale program transitions

The base pay for this role can vary from $200,000 to $240,000 a year based on individual qualifications. Eligible for sales incentive compensation plan. Persistent Systems, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off (sick time and vacation time); flexible spending accounts; 401(k) plan with company match; fitness membership reimbursement; tuition assistance; mental health benefits; and pet discounts.

Company Overview

Persistent Systems, LLC, a leader in defense technology, has been engineering secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) solutions since 2007, enabling joint forces and multinational coalitions to communicate, collaborate, and achieve mission success. Persistent created the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, a unified data network for unmanned systems, sensors, and software, empowering warfighters to accomplish tactical objectives across the operational area.  Built on the company’s Wave Relay MANET and Cloud Relay™ technologies, this ecosystem delivers a global data fabric for military, first responders, and commercial users. Persistent has offices in New York City, Colorado, North Carolina, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.