Director of Aerospace and Defense Sales

Overview

Location: Southern California (preferred)

Elite Engineering & Manufacturing is a precision manufacturing company built to support the most demanding industrial environments. We partner with leading high-tech companies to produce complex, high-mix components where precision, speed, and execution discipline are non-negotiable. Our work sits at the intersection of advanced machining, fabrication, and engineering collaboration — delivering parts that matter in industries where failure is not an option.

We are now making a deliberate and strategic expansion into aerospace and defense. With newly obtained AS9100 certification and established ITAR compliance, Elite is positioned to compete for and win serious aerospace and defense programs. We are seeking a Director of Aerospace and Defense Sales to help build this vertical from the ground up — identifying high-value opportunities, securing program wins, and establishing long-term customer partnerships that define the next phase of the company’s growth.

This is not a maintenance role. It is a build role. The right candidate will directly shape the trajectory of Elite’s aerospace and defense business — influencing revenue scale, customer mix, and market position. We require a "Commercial Hunter" who thrives on high-stakes influence. The ideal candidate is a Persuader: someone who can leverage deep relationships to fast-track procurement processes and build trust directly with decision makers. We need a deal-architect, not just a bidder.

This role involves navigating long, program-based sales cycles and working through rigorous customer qualification processes common to aerospace and defense programs. Success will come from the ability to earn trust over time, convert technical capability into awarded programs, and grow those wins into repeat production and long-term partnerships.

While headquartered in Santa Clara, our primary aerospace/defense focus is Southern California, and we strongly prefer candidates embedded in that ecosystem.

What You’ll Do

• Own business development efforts across aerospace/defense on the West Coast
• Build and expand trusted relationships with OEMs, Tier 1s, and Tier 2 suppliers
• Identify high-value opportunities and convert them from initial conversation through RFQ, award, and repeat production
• Act as the commercial face of Elite with customers — on-site visits, technical discussions, and program follow-through
• Partner closely with engineering, estimating, and operations to align customer needs with manufacturing execution
• Recruit, mentor, and scale a high-performing aerospace and defense sales team as the vertical expands
• Build and manage a disciplined opportunity pipeline with clear visibility into timing, value, and probability
• This is a field-driven, quota-carrying role — not inside sales, and not a lead-passing position.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of outside sales experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing
• Strong understanding of CNC machining and/or sheet metal fabrication in an AS9100 environment
• Existing access to decision-makers within potential aerospace/defense customers is required
• Comfortable discussing prints, tolerances, materials, processes, and lead times with engineering and supply chain teams
• Self-directed, commercially sharp, and motivated by closing real production work
• High "Task" and High "Relationship" orientation. You must be able to open doors through charisma and close deals through rigorous commercial discipline
• Willing to travel locally and regionally to support customers and programs

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $80,000-$125,000 (actual range may vary based on experience and performance) plus material performance-based incentives tied directly to revenue and project awards. This role is designed for significant upside — top performers who build meaningful, recurring aerospace/defense programs will be compensated accordingly. Total earnings will scale directly with revenue generated and margin delivered.

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Ideal Fit

This role is best suited for a builder — someone who enjoys turning technical conversations into awarded programs and long-term customer partnerships. We are looking for a producer who measures success in closed orders, repeat work, and program wins, not just meetings booked. This position is suited for someone seeking a well-capitalized business, upper-market compensation, and a role with real authority and impact. As aerospace/defense revenue scales, this role is expected to evolve into a broader leadership role at the company.

#J-18808-Ljbffr