Founding VP, US Business Development & Sales - Spaceplane

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company focused on enabling the next generation of space users. They are seeking a Founding VP for US Business Development & Sales to establish and scale their spaceplane business, drive revenue, and build strategic relationships in the American market.

Responsibilities:

• Own the commercial rollout for Aurora in the United States and be accountable for revenue, pipeline quality, and long-term market position
• Engage directly with prospective customers to understand their challenges and identify where Aurora can deliver value. Identify, qualify, and prioritize opportunities in commercial, national security, and research sectors
• Understand and articulate the technical capabilities of the Aurora spaceplane. Translate customer needs into technically viable and cost-effective mission or vehicle acquisition proposals
• Activate and expand senior-level relationships across relevant federal and state government departments and agencies including the NASA, prime contractors, and research institutions
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder deal cycles involving high-volume mission services, sovereign capability development, and vehicle sales
• Establish the Aurora as a recognized capability within American national security, civil, and research agencies
• Identify and establish strategic operating locations, partners, and facilities for American spaceplane operations
• Drive negotiation of commercial, technical, and governance terms alongside legal, engineering, and operations teams
• Feed regional market intelligence directly into Dawn Aerospace’s global product road map and fleet-expansion strategy

Requirements:

• 10-15 years of experience in business development, sales, or mission management in aerospace, aviation, deep-tech, or a closely related sector
• Established senior-level network across United States' aerospace, defense, or government ecosystems
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a customer-first mindset
• Proven track record leading complex, long-cycle programmes involving government, institutional, or prime contractor stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in new markets and build a credible presence quickly
• Experience working directly with customers in aerospace research, defense, or government space agencies
• Familiarity with export control such as ITAR/EAR, security, and regulatory frameworks
• Background working with primes, Tier-1 suppliers, or sovereign capability programmes
• A strong understanding of general aerospace principles such as flight mechanics, mission planning, and project lifecycles
• Previous experience selling or supporting technically advanced products or services in aviation, aerospace, or related engineering sectors
• Familiarity with HubSpot, or similar CRM suite
• Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally