Business Development Manager - Aerospace

Applus+ Laboratories is a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, focusing on diverse industries including aerospace and defense. They are seeking a Business Development Manager to drive strategic growth in these sectors by leading customer acquisition and building strong relationships with clients and vendors.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the vendor approval process for aerospace and defense customers
• Build and strengthen procurement relationships to maximize cross-selling of services (NDT, Material Testing, EMC, Environmental)
• Act as a technical resource during initial customer engagement, providing insight into Applus+ capabilities and past performance
• Support multiple client accounts as a strategic access point and growth catalyst
• Represent Applus+ as an SME by translating customer data into actionable, solution-oriented responses
• Guide prospects through how Applus+ can solve their problems, supported by case studies and prior success stories
• Track DoD development opportunities and maintain familiarity with SAM.gov, SBIR, and other federal acquisition programs
• Monitor procurement trends and pipeline activity in aerospace and defense sectors
• Leverage experience in TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) businesses to align with client regulatory and compliance needs
• Develop and execute growth strategies tailored to technical services in aerospace and defense
• Identify, engage, and grow relationships with key industry players and government stakeholders
• Conduct technical consultations, prepare proposals, and close deals involving complex service offerings
• Continuously evaluate how to maximize the value of existing relationships through strategic account management

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field required
• 10+ years of experience in business development or sales, preferably in the aerospace, defense, or TIC industry
• Solid understanding of NDT and related technical services
• Deep knowledge of vendor qualification processes, procurement workflows, and federal contracting
• Ability to articulate technical solutions clearly and confidently
• Strong interpersonal skills; relationships matter more than technical knowledge alone
• Strategic thinking, organizational awareness, and the ability to open new doors for Applus+ across multiple sectors
• Must be a U.S. citizen and legally authorized to work in the United States
• Employment eligibility verification is required at the time of hire
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50 to 75%)
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• NDT certifications (MT, UT, EC) preferred
• ASNT Level II or III certification highly desirable
• Experience working in or selling to aerospace and defense companies is strongly preferred