Business Development, Director - Army / CUAS in at Kongsberg Protech Systems USA Corporation

KDA, Inc, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, has been operating in the United States for more than 20 years. We produce world-leading Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for the US Army, Marine Corps, and allies at our Johnstown, Pennsylvania factory. We have delivered more than 20,000 PROTECTOR RWS to 28 countries. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS) is a highly mobile and tailorable capability that protects the airspace of 13 countries and Washington, DC. In 2027, we will do final assembly, test, and sustainment of the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile systems at a new factory in southern Virginia.

Join us, and you’ll be part of a high performing team that develops advanced technology solutions to protect people and critical infrastructure in countries around the world. Explore your potential and discover what your future could be with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc.

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. (KDA Inc.) is seeking a dynamic and highly experienced Business Development Director to drive growth for our Land Systems portfolio across the United States, with specific responsibility for U.S. Army and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) opportunities. This remote leadership role sits at the center of one of Kongsberg’s most strategically important product families—the PROTECTOR line of remote weapon stations and turret systems—and will lead customer engagement and business development activities supporting emerging CUAS requirements and integrated defeat solutions.

As the senior business development lead for this mission‑critical domain, you will shape customer engagement strategies, cultivate high‑value relationships, and influence key stakeholders across the U.S. Army, Department of War (DOW), and other defense programs. You will operate as the integrator, communicator, and problem‑solver who ensures seamless alignment between U.S. customer needs, OEM partners, funding and requirements offices, and Kongsberg’s global engineering and product teams.

We are looking for a driven, relationship‑focused professional who understands the U.S. and international remote weapons, CUAS, and integrated defense markets, thrives in complex defense environments, and can aggressively pursue new opportunities while strengthening existing partnerships. This role also offers the opportunity to contribute across KDA Inc.’s broader portfolio, supporting growth initiatives wherever your expertise can make an impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Report to the Senior Director, Business Development & Strategy, working as part of the KDA Inc. Business Development team to identify areas of cross collaboration and provide inputs to the overarching KDA Strategic Plan. Represent Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) Business Unit Land Systems (BULS) and KDA Incorporated (KDA Inc.) with customer / user interactions, present information briefing (product line) and begin the problem-solving process and offer solutions.
• Maintain strong relationships with all current, and prospective, US customers. Coordinate Quarterly Update / Status meetings with existing customers to maintain relationships and be the connectivity between division program management in Norway and customer.
• Manage relationship between KDA and US Army acquisition community to ensure current operator/mission planner knowledge of specific weapon capabilities and most current CONOPs considerations are integrated into student curriculum.
• Grow a strong base of relationships within the US Army acquisition customer base. Elevate existing relationships with existing customer offices and develop / foster relationships with other offices to increase advocacy and integration of the Protector family of remote weapons into other platforms (if applicable).
• Lead business development and capture activities for U.S. CUAS opportunities, identifying and shaping requirements where Kongsberg remote weapon systems, sensors, effectors, command-and-control capabilities, and partner technologies can contribute to integrated CUAS solutions. Develop relationships across the U.S. Army, DOW, OEMs, system integrators, and industry partners to position Kongsberg for emerging CUAS programs and requirements.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, commercial as well as military, to include strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and contract acquisitions as directed.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions and positioning.
• Sales and Revenue Growth: Drive sales initiatives and revenue growth by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, contracts, and programs, as well as supporting retention and growth of existing programs.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure the successful execution of business development initiatives.
• Assist customers with framing problem statements, key decision steps, and solutions for key decision makers. Such assistance will include (but not be limited to) a clear articulation of a successful path with timelines, funding / cost, structure requirements, operational impact.
• Coordinate preparation of all required cost information to include Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) and Firm Fixed Pricing (FFP). Coordinate with officials throughout KDA Inc. and LS, to include engineering, business contracting, finance, production, programs, and legal counsel.
• Participate in full opportunity lifecycle process, from opportunity identification through proposal delivery and award.
• Work as part of the KDA/KDA Inc. Business Development team to identify areas of cross collaboration and provide inputs to the overarching KDA Inc. Strategic Plan.
• Manage recurring Trade Show participation by ensuring participation in high payoff potential venues are ensuring KDA displays reflect evolving focus of existing or targeted customer base.
• Be a collaborative member of the business development team and with other KDA divisions to include systems engineering, production and programs that assist in identifying and recommending integration requirements that achieve optimal system performance (exceeding user-defined requirements).
• Maintain awareness and understanding of new technology development / platform development projects and manage communication of efforts to current /potential US customers and industry partners, as appropriate.
• Hands-on attitude to work with a willingness to learn and develop.
• Self-starter, a team player who works well in dynamic teams and in matrix-style project organizations.
• Problem solver - identifying and resolving problems in production as they arise.
• Collaborative and collegiate attitude to work.
• A willingness to embrace KONGSBERG corporate values of collaboration, determination, reliability and innovation.
• A willingness to travel and undergo training when required - including internationally.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in mechanical engineering and or business management.
• Military level professional military education equivalent required.

NUMBER OF YEARS AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 10+ years of relevant defense industry, military, acquisition, or business development experience involving weapon systems, remote weapon stations/turrets, CUAS, air defense, or related capabilities.
• Experience with CUAS, air defense, integrated fires, sensors/effectors, or related Army acquisition programs strongly preferred.
• Acquisition program manager experience for the military preferred.
• Proven track record in Capture/Program Management that successfully resulted in winning large-scale pursuits / contracts / programs.
• Managed and or supported a US Army vehicle or weapons program.
• Thorough understanding of the defense market, US government procurement processes (PPB&E), including current trends, technologies, and regulatory environment.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
• Leadership: Proven leader skills with a with a track record of managing and motivating high-performance teams under fluid, rapidly changing environments.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a cross-cutting, multi-function team.
• Understanding of and experience in the use of business development and capture processes.
• Eligible for and ability to obtain a government SECRET clearance. Active SECRET or higher clearance preferred.

OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS:

• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Location: Remote
• Travel: Must have or able to obtain a US passport. Up to 50% travel - both domestically and internationally - expected. Candidates must be willing and able to travel to government and industry partner locations, participate in trade shows and conferences. Several trips to Norway can be expected per annum to participate in Management Reviews, Global Marketing Conferences, and to support emerging program needs.
• Schedule: 9/80
• Training Timeline: 6+ Months
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• Must be able to work as part of a team; positive “can-do” attitude.
• Flexible in ability to change priorities to accomplish changing team/corporate deadlines and goals.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.
• To comply with U.S. national security policy, employee must be a U.S. Person as defined in 22CFR120.15 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Specifically, a U.S. Person is a United States Citizen or National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Lawful Temporary Resident, Refugee or Asylee.

Pre-employment Requirements:

KDA, Inc. requires all candidates to successfully complete a pre‑employment physical, drug and alcohol screening, and a background investigation as part of the hiring process.

BENEFITS:

• Health Insurance: Employer paid premiums, 100%
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Sick Time Off
• Flexible Schedule

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.