Job Title: Aerospace Business Development Manager
Reports To: Senior Vice President - Commercial
Location: Mooresville, NC
Travel: At least 50% domestic and international travel required
Salary: Competitive Salary + Performance Bonus
Overview
SHD Composites is a global leader in advanced composite materials, supplying innovative prepreg and composite solutions to the aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, and renewable energy sectors. As we continue to expand our aerospace presence, we are seeking a dynamic and commercially driven Aerospace Business Development Manager to identify new growth opportunities, develop strategic customer relationships, and drive revenue growth across commercial aviation, defense, space, and emerging aerospace markets.
This position is ideal for a motivated professional who combines deep aerospace industry knowledge with a proven track record of developing new business, managing complex technical sales cycles, and building long-term customer partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Revenue Growth
- Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities within commercial aerospace, defense, space, and emerging aviation sectors.
- Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue targets and market expansion objectives.
- Manage the full sales lifecycle, including lead generation, qualification, proposal development, contract negotiation, and business closure.
- Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline through prospecting, networking, and industry engagement.
- Target and engage key decision-makers within aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, MRO organizations, and emerging aerospace companies.
- Collaborate closely with regional sales team.
Customer & Market Engagement
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners.
- Serve as the primary commercial contact for aerospace accounts and growth opportunities.
- Monitor industry trends, customer needs, and market developments to identify new applications for advanced composite materials.
- Represent SHD Composites at trade shows, technical conferences, customer meetings, and industry events.
- Promote SHD's capabilities and value proposition within the aerospace and defense sectors.
Technical Sales Support
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to align customer requirements with SHD's product capabilities.
- Support customers through technical discussions, material selection, product demonstrations, and proposal development.
- Promote advanced composite solutions including prepregs, carbon fiber systems, structural composites, tooling materials, and engineered solutions.
- Assist with qualification programs and customer onboarding activities.
- Define future product requirements for sector engagement
Strategic Planning & Market Development
- Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to support business growth strategies.
- Identify opportunities in next-generation aerospace applications, including sustainable aviation, advanced air mobility, eVTOL, UAVs, electrification, and space technologies.
- Develop long-term account strategies and market penetration plans.
- Provide regular sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and market intelligence to senior leadership.
Contract & Partnership Management
- Lead commercial negotiations involving pricing, contracts, supply agreements, and long-term customer partnerships.
- Support strategic partnership initiatives, joint development programs, and collaborative projects.
- Ensure customer requirements are effectively communicated throughout the organization.
- Maintain awareness of aerospace quality, regulatory, and customer requirements including AS9100 and NADCAP standards.
Qualifications
Required
- Minimum 5 years of experience in business development, sales, account management, or commercial leadership within the aerospace industry.
- Demonstrated success in generating new business and achieving revenue growth targets.
- Strong understanding of aerospace supply chains, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and MRO organizations.
- Knowledge of advanced composite materials, including carbon fiber, prepregs, resin systems, and structural composites.
- Experience managing complex technical sales processes involving multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to travel extensively to customer locations, trade shows, and industry events.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Business, or a related field.
- Experience working directly with aerospace OEMs such as Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Bell, Gulfstream, Bombardier, or major Tier 1 suppliers.
- Understanding of aerospace certification requirements and quality systems.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes including autoclave curing, RTM, filament winding, compression molding, automated fiber placement, or additive manufacturing.
- Experience within composite materials, advanced manufacturing, aerospace materials, or engineered products industries.
Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Business Acumen
- Technical Sales Expertise
- Customer Relationship Management
- Negotiation & Influencing Skills
- Market Analysis
- Communication & Presentation Skills
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Results Orientation
- Problem Solving
- Planning
- Use of Microsoft Office platform software
- CRM usage
Why Join SHD Composites?
At SHD Composites, you will have the opportunity to work with industry-leading composite technologies that support some of the world's most advanced aerospace programs. We offer a collaborative environment, opportunities for professional growth, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a direct impact on the future of aerospace innovation.
SHD Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.