What are the responsibilities and job description for the Defense Business Development Lead position at Odys Aviation?
About Odys
Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.
To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in late 2025 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.
We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.
About The Role
In this role, you will oversee all aspects of government business development. You will collaborate closely with commercial business development, product, engineering, and production teams to identify opportunities that align with company direction and submit proposals that are compelling. Your leadership will be pivotal in defining our defense product and commercial strategy.
Responsibilities
Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.
To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in late 2025 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.
We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.
About The Role
In this role, you will oversee all aspects of government business development. You will collaborate closely with commercial business development, product, engineering, and production teams to identify opportunities that align with company direction and submit proposals that are compelling. Your leadership will be pivotal in defining our defense product and commercial strategy.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead the team that focuses on developing and satisfying the defense market
- Develop and execute defense sales strategy.
- Engage with defense stakeholders to understand defense market needs and shape future requirements
- Develop and submit proposals
- Manage and extend the defense customer relationships
- Support and strategize with government affairs office in developing and executing defense government affairs activities
- Support the execution and reporting of defense specific programs.
- Develop and secure relationships with suppliers and partners necessary for achieving product and sales objectives.
- Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred, MBA preferred)
- 10 years prior military experience, aviation or UAV related (preferred)
- 5-10 years experience in a defense business development or related role
- A robust knowledge of the defense ecosystem, program offices, their authorities, their sales cycles, and acquisitions.
- Able to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
- Able to travel
