Business Development Lead

<div class="pay-range"> <p>At Heart Aerospace, we are developing the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane capable of carrying 30 passengers, boasting an electric zero-emission range of 125 mi and a hybrid range of 500 mi. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.</p> <p>As we scale our aircraft program, we are also building a component business around core aircraft systems we develop in-house, including flight control actuation and energy systems. These products reflect the same philosophy as our aircraft: software-defined, and designed for performance, reliability, and cost.</p> <p><strong><u>Your mission</u></strong><u>:</u></p> <p>We are seeking a Business Development Lead - Actuation to build and lead the commercialization of Heart’s flight control actuator technology. This role spans market definition, go-to-market strategy, and direct customer engagement, turning a high-performance internal system into a standalone product line serving aerospace and adjacent markets.</p> <p>You will define where we play, how we win, and then go execute, working directly with OEMs, startups, and industrial partners to land early programs and scale into a meaningful revenue stream. This is a high-impact, zero-to-one role suited for someone who can move fluidly between technical, commercial, and strategic work.</p> <p><strong><u>Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:</u></strong><u>&nbsp;</u></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Define and&nbsp;validate&nbsp;the market for Heart’s actuation products: sizing TAM, segmenting customers (AAM, defense, UAV, agile incumbents), and&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;priority entry points</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop and execute go-to-market&nbsp;strategy, including pricing, value proposition, channel strategy, and launch roadmap</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Lead customer development and business development efforts: originating, structuring, and closing early customer programs (NRE and production)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Represent Heart externally at trade shows, industry events, and customer engagements, serving as the commercial face of the actuation business</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Translate engineering performance into customer-ready narratives, proposals, and technical-commercial materials</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Work cross-functionally with engineering, program management, and leadership to align product development with market demand</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities, including forecasting, deal tracking, and partnership development</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Identify&nbsp;opportunities to expand from&nbsp;component&nbsp;sales into higher-value systems and integrated solutions</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Skills &amp; Requirements:</strong></p> <p><strong><u>You'll Bring These Qualifications for the Business Development Lead position:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">5+ years of experience in business development, product strategy, or technical sales within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing</span></li> <li class="x_MsoNormal"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).</span></li> <li>Experience selling or supporting complex hardware systems into OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, or government customers</li> <li>Strong technical fluency, with the ability to engage credibly with engineering teams and customers on system-level topics</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to build new markets or product lines from early-stage concepts through initial revenue</li> <li>Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across technical and executive stakeholders</li> <li>Willingness to travel for customer meetings, trade shows, and industry engagement</li> </ul> <p><strong><u>These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have:</u></strong></p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="x_MsoNormal"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Experience with actuation systems, flight controls, or adjacent aerospace subsystems</span></li> <li class="x_MsoNormal">Familiarity with certification environments (Part 23/25, DO-178, DO-254, DO-160)</li> <li class="x_MsoNormal">Background in early-stage or high-growth companies, particularly in AAM or electrified aviation</li> <li class="x_MsoNormal">Experience structuring NRE agreements, long-cycle hardware deals, or strategic partnerships</li> </ul> <div class="title"><strong>Base Pay Range:&nbsp;</strong></div> <div class="pay-range"><strong>$170,000<span class="divider">—</span>$220,000 USD</strong></div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p>