Head of Business Development - Defense

About Machina Labs

At Machina Labs, we’re reshaping manufacturing through advanced robotics and machine learning. Our factories use the largest 7-axis robots on the market to form 2D sheets of metal into complex 3D parts, layer-by-layer. Traditional sheet metal production was designed for scale, not flexibility. It relies on costly dies and tooling that make lower volume projects prohibitively slow and expensive. We’re changing that. Whether you’re a defense prime building airframes or an automaker building next-generation vehicles, Machina Labs gives you the ability to iterate and manufacture at the speed of software. With support from the venture arms of Toyota, NVIDIA, and Lockheed Martin, we’re accelerating the future of manufacturing, one where factories are flexible, production is on-demand, and innovation is unconstrained.

Job Description

Machina Labs is seeking a Head of Business Development – Defense to scale our engagements and partnerships across advanced U.S. defense programs. This strategic, well-connected leader will advance our relationships with relevant Department of War (DoW) acquisition organizations and associated Primes, driving qualification and production programs for complex metal structural assemblies. This role is focused on embedding Machina’s advanced manufacturing solutions into mission-critical weapon systems by building trusted relationships and partnerships with senior DoW and Prime decision-makers, Program Offices, innovation organizations, and government stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of introducing and scaling advanced manufacturing technologies within the defense acquisition ecosystem. This individual must command credibility with executive stakeholders and be comfortable driving long-cycle opportunities from early feasibility and prototyping through qualification and full-rate production.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Defense Growth: Lead Machina’s defense business development strategy across missiles, hypersonics, UAV, and USV programs. Unlock partnerships for feasibility, qualification, LRIP, and full-rate production programs for structural assemblies. Target programs involving advanced strike systems and new platform development.
• Penetrate and Expand DoW & Prime Relationships: Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior executives, program managers, engineering leaders, manufacturing leads, and supply chain decision-makers at major Defense Primes, emerging defense companies and relevant DoW acquisition organizations. Understand and influence funding pathways tied to testing, qualification, and production ramp into Programs of Record.
• Lead Defense Community Education & Thought Leadership: Drive education and positioning of Machina as trusted mission partner to the defense community through industry events and congressional briefings. Serve as a visible industry thought leader, participating in panels, roundtables, and defense innovation forums. Expand Machina’s influence and credibility within the national security ecosystem, helping shape how defense stakeholders think about AI-enabled manufacturing.

Required Background & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 10+ years of business development, capture, or program leadership experience within the defense ecosystem.
• Strong executive-level Prime and DoW relationships tied to relevant strike weapon platforms such as JASSM, LRASM, Tomahawk, CPS, HACM, LRHW, low-cost munitions or similar platforms.
• Current Active Secret DoD security clearance or ability to obtain and retain Top Secret Clearance within 365 days from submission.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% annually.
• Trusted operator with long-cycle strategic BD experience; more architect of growth than transactional sales leader.
• Comfortable operating as a senior individual contributor in a high-growth environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, MBA, Strategy, or related field.
• Professional Military Education (PME), DAU certification, or equivalent experience.
• Prior military or DoW civilian acquisition experience.
• Experience leading early-stage BD in a startup or dual-use advanced manufacturing company.
• Background in advanced manufacturing, structural assemblies, or complex metal fabrication.

Machina Labs is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with state and federal law.

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