Job Title: Senior Strategic Partnerships

Location: Remote (U.S.-based only)

Industry: Aerospace / UAV

Type: Full-Time

Level: Senior

Compensation: Competitive base + performance incentives + equity

About the Company

We’re partnering with a fast-scaling, Series A aerospace company headquartered in Los Angeles. At the forefront of next-generation UAV development, this company is already engaged with U.S. Department of Defense contracts and is poised for rapid growth with pending civilian and government partnerships. Their mission is to deliver strategic defense and dual-use technologies that enhance operational capabilities across multiple domains.

About the Role

This is not a sales role. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role focused on identifying, negotiating, and closing strategic partnerships with U.S. government bodies (DoD, DHS, etc.), defense primes (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing), and public/private funding entities. You’ll act as a key external face of the company—navigating complex government ecosystems, influencing stakeholders, and securing key alliances that shape the future of defense and aerospace innovation.

What You’ll Do

• Build and own high-level strategic partnerships across the DoD, DARPA, DIU, and federal agencies
• Cultivate relationships with defense primes and government-funded innovation programs
• Identify joint development, co-funding, and programmatic partnership opportunities
• Lead strategic negotiations and partnership structuring for long-term impact
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, engineering, and legal teams
• Represent the company at defense innovation events, consortiums, and industry summits
• Provide intelligence on policy and procurement trends to guide business strategy

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years in U.S. defense, aerospace, or dual-use tech sectors, with a focus on strategic or institutional partnerships
• Deep familiarity with DoD acquisition, OTA agreements, and SBIR/STTR programs
• Strong relationships or working history with defense contractors and public sector innovation units
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills
• Experience securing funding or co-development agreements in complex environments
• U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements

Nice to Have

• Prior experience at a venture-backed aerospace or dual-use startup
• Existing network inside organizations like AFWERX, NavalX, SOCOM, or similar
• Technical fluency in UAV, autonomy, or defense systems is a bonus