Head of Government Business Development

About the Role
General Astronautics is building autonomous dexterous robotic arms for orbital inspection, repair, and assembly. Our systems enable spacecraft to autonomously manipulate, replace, and upgrade hardware in microgravity, without astronaut intervention.
We're looking for a Head of Government Business Development to lead our government business as we scale our orbital robotic fleet. This role encompasses developing relationships across the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, identifying and shaping opportunities, and driving contracts from initial engagement through award.
This is a high-ownership, high-accountability role. You will work directly with the founders and engineering team to translate our technical capabilities into funded government programs. You will own the government business development pipeline and build the relationships, proposals, and processes that turn early customer interest into contracts. The programs you win will help put robots in space.
Responsibilities
Lead government business development across the Department of Defense, NASA, and other federal agencies
Build relationships with government customers, program offices, contracting officers, and industry partners
Identify customer needs and shape opportunities that align with our robotic capabilities and deployment plans
Own the government pipeline, including opportunity qualification, capture strategy, bid/no-bid decisions, and forecasting
Lead proposals and solicitation responses from initial customer engagement through submission, negotiation, and award
Work with engineering to translate technical capabilities into clear proposals, statements of work, milestones, and budgets
Pursue opportunities through SBIR/STTR programs, Other Transactions, BAAs, RFPs, and other federal acquisition pathways
Develop teaming and partnership strategies with defense primes, neo-primes, and other aerospace companies
Build the proposal templates, tracking systems, and processes needed to manage multiple pursuits as the company grows
Basic Qualifications
5+ years of experience in government business development, capture, or federal acquisition in aerospace, defense, or a related technical field
Demonstrated experience leading government pursuits from initial customer engagement through proposal submission and contract award
Strong understanding of defense procurement, federal acquisition processes, and government funding pathways
Ability to connect emerging technical capabilities to customer requirements, mission needs, and funded programs
Strong writing and communication skills, with experience developing proposals alongside technical teams
Experience working directly with government customers, program offices, and contracting officers
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex pursuits and manage multiple opportunities and deadlines
Preferred Skills and Experience
Government business development experience at a defense prime or neo-prime
Experience with U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, NASA, DARPA, DIU, AFWERX, or SpaceWERX programs
Experience transitioning early research or prototype efforts into larger development or operational programs
Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements, contract negotiation, and government cost and pricing proposals
Experience building a business development or capture function at an early-stage company
Prior service in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force
An active U.S. security clearance
ITAR / Citizenship Requirements
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

Experience
5+ years

Work arrangement
No