Estes Energetics, along with its subsidiary Goex Industries, is an American manufacturer of black powder, chemicals, and rocket motors. Our agile and experienced team is proud to make products that support the Department of Defense, strengthen domestic production, preserve history, serve hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts, and ignite a passion for rocketry in our youth. Whether we’re performing research into energetic materials and products, or standing up American-made production, count on us to find a solution.

Summary

Estes Energetics is seeking an experienced and driven Business Development Director to build the sales and business development function and lead strategic growth initiatives. This role is responsible for identifying and capturing new business opportunities with Department of Defense agencies, prime contractors, and key stakeholders across the national security ecosystem, as well as driving commercial sales for chemicals and black powder. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of defense procurement cycles, established relationships within the defense community, and a track record of winning government contracts.

Essential Functions

Opportunity Identification & Capture:

• Monitor defense market trends, budgets, and customer requirements to identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and execute capture plans for high-priority opportunities, including customer engagement strategies and competitive assessments.
• Drive long-term business growth aligned with company objectives in areas such as weapons systems, advanced manufacturing, energetics, chemicals, and other defense technologies.

Customer Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with DoD agencies (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA), program offices, and prime contractors.
• Act as the primary interface between the company and key external stakeholders during the business development lifecycle.

Proposal Development:

• Collaborate with internal proposal, engineering, and program teams to develop compelling proposals and white papers.
• Lead the preparation of RFI/RFP responses, including pricing strategies, teaming arrangements, and value propositions.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Identify and negotiate strategic partnerships and teaming agreements with OEMs, subcontractors, and technology providers to strengthen bids and expand market reach.

Market Intelligence & Strategy:

• Analyze competitor capabilities, defense spending priorities, and technology trends to inform business strategies.
• Support annual business planning and contribute to the development of growth roadmaps.

Contract Management:

• Manage contractual aspects of contracts, such as deliverables, reports, modifications, and flow downs.

Competencies, Experience, and Education

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science, or equivalent experience needed to understand technical concepts and write technical proposals.
• 10+ years of experience in business development, government contracting, or strategic capture in the defense or aerospace sector.
• Proven success in winning DoD contracts or managing major pursuits exceeding $5M in value.
• In-depth understanding of defense acquisition and contracting processes (e.g., FAR, DFARS, SBIR/STTR).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage and influence senior government and industry stakeholders.

Desired

• Familiarity with defense segments such as munitions, propulsion systems, explosives, and chemicals.
• Established relationships within DoD, defense primes, or key integrators.
• Experience with proposal tools, CRM systems, and BD metrics.

Supervisory Responsibility

Will build a sales and business development team.

Work Environment

The work will primarily be in an office environment with occasional visits to manufacturing facilities.

Physical Demands

• Sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Use of mouse/computer keyboard
• May have to lift up to 25 pounds

Travel

Domestic travel to customers, industry events, and company locations. Up to 25% travel.

Salary

$150,000 - $200,000 annually, plus variable compensation

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with a 9/80 schedule.

Benefits

Estes Energetics maintains a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Life and disability insurance – 100% paid by company.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 7% company match with vesting at 30 days
• Single, comprehensive paid time off (PTO) policy
• 9 Paid Holidays

Work Authorization

Applicants are required to be a US citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined in 8 USC 1324b. Applicants much also be able to obtain explosives licenses, which includes passing a criminal background check and a drug test.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Program

Estes Energetics provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Additional information is available at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.