Business Development Engineering Lead
Luna Labs USA, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Luna Labs is a product development company working with leading organizations and key government agencies to create unique solutions for complex challenges in defense, industrial, and healthcare markets. We operate like a self-contained incubator for defense and biotech startups, taking solutions from concept through development to new products in the market. We leverage small business agility and large business capabilities to accelerate breakthrough solutions from concept to early‑stage growth. Working with a robust global network of manufacturers, suppliers, licensees, and distributors, Luna Labs develops everything from small‑scale prototypes to market‑ready products.
The Opportunity We are seeking a technical and motivated Business Development Engineering Lead committed to advancing the development and commercialization of innovative materials‑based products for the civilian and military markets. This is an opportunity to combine your love of technology and business while working at a research company focused on product development. As a Business Development Engineering Lead, you will support the commercialization of emerging R&D prototypes and well‑developed materials‑based technologies. Working under the direction of Principal Investigators and senior leadership, you will bridge Business Development and research teams to identify customer needs, contribute to commercialization strategies, and help implement pathways to bring products to market.
What You’ll Do Business Development Work with engineers and product developers to understand the technology portfolio, identify mature technologies, and find market‑relevant product‑solution fit for customer needs
Identify and analyze design, testing, and/or process development requirements to meet customer needs
Support business development efforts by identifying new opportunities and expanding existing partnerships
Contribute to the development of go‑to‑market strategies for target markets, including channel considerations, pricing expectations, and customer profiles
Gather customer requirements and feedback through networking, cold calls, customer interviews, demos, and other outreach activities
Partner with R&D to help shape and maintain product and technology roadmaps
Develop and present clear and concise technical reports, one‑pagers highlighting key features or capabilities, and product performance reviews for business and technical internal/external stakeholders
Provide technical support to commercialize Materials R&D technologies into product concepts, prototypes, pilot scale production, and manufacturing
Help track and calibrate progress against commercialization goals within established timelines and budgets
Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government contracts, partners, and customers – well before formal opportunities arise
Understand organizational dynamics, budget pressures, and decision‑making processes within target agencies and markets
Represent Luna Labs at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings
Support scientists and engineers in stakeholder engagement, helping to position their technologies for customer and market adoption
What We’re Looking For We need someone who thrives at the intersection of technology and business development — equally comfortable in a lab coat and a customer meeting. You know how to translate technical capability into something a non-technical stakeholder can get excited about, and you understand that bringing a new material or technology to market is rarely a straight line. You're a natural connector who can build relationships with scientists and engineers on one side and customers, partners, and end users on the other, all while proactively gathering feedback, identifying gaps, and bringing ideas to the table. You're organized and detail‑oriented enough to support proposal preparation and technical reporting, but you also keep one eye on the bigger picture — understanding where a technology fits in the market, who the competitors are, and what it will take to move a product into commercialization.
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry or a related technical field required; a degree in Business Administration (or related field) is a plus
Minimum 3 years of experience in the materials science industry including hands‑on experience with early‑stage prototyping, pilot‑scale production, and/or product development
Demonstrated experience transitioning technologies out of the lab into products or commercial applications
Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: Coatings, adhesives, sealants, or elastomers
Nanomaterials
Polymer composites
Ability to read, interpret, and communicate technical data and reports to both technical and non‑technical audiences
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical reporting, structuring business documents, and presentations
Strong relationship‑building skills across diverse internal and external stakeholders
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience working with government or military customers is a plus
Due to government contracting regulations, U.S. Citizenship is a firm requirement
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Duties may occasionally be completed remotely using secure company equipment and software, at the supervisor's discretion.
Periodic travel to client sites, conferences, and related events is required
The role involves working in a laboratory environment and interacting with technical staff
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Opportunity We are seeking a technical and motivated Business Development Engineering Lead committed to advancing the development and commercialization of innovative materials‑based products for the civilian and military markets. This is an opportunity to combine your love of technology and business while working at a research company focused on product development. As a Business Development Engineering Lead, you will support the commercialization of emerging R&D prototypes and well‑developed materials‑based technologies. Working under the direction of Principal Investigators and senior leadership, you will bridge Business Development and research teams to identify customer needs, contribute to commercialization strategies, and help implement pathways to bring products to market.
What You’ll Do Business Development Work with engineers and product developers to understand the technology portfolio, identify mature technologies, and find market‑relevant product‑solution fit for customer needs
Identify and analyze design, testing, and/or process development requirements to meet customer needs
Support business development efforts by identifying new opportunities and expanding existing partnerships
Contribute to the development of go‑to‑market strategies for target markets, including channel considerations, pricing expectations, and customer profiles
Gather customer requirements and feedback through networking, cold calls, customer interviews, demos, and other outreach activities
Partner with R&D to help shape and maintain product and technology roadmaps
Develop and present clear and concise technical reports, one‑pagers highlighting key features or capabilities, and product performance reviews for business and technical internal/external stakeholders
Provide technical support to commercialize Materials R&D technologies into product concepts, prototypes, pilot scale production, and manufacturing
Help track and calibrate progress against commercialization goals within established timelines and budgets
Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government contracts, partners, and customers – well before formal opportunities arise
Understand organizational dynamics, budget pressures, and decision‑making processes within target agencies and markets
Represent Luna Labs at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings
Support scientists and engineers in stakeholder engagement, helping to position their technologies for customer and market adoption
What We’re Looking For We need someone who thrives at the intersection of technology and business development — equally comfortable in a lab coat and a customer meeting. You know how to translate technical capability into something a non-technical stakeholder can get excited about, and you understand that bringing a new material or technology to market is rarely a straight line. You're a natural connector who can build relationships with scientists and engineers on one side and customers, partners, and end users on the other, all while proactively gathering feedback, identifying gaps, and bringing ideas to the table. You're organized and detail‑oriented enough to support proposal preparation and technical reporting, but you also keep one eye on the bigger picture — understanding where a technology fits in the market, who the competitors are, and what it will take to move a product into commercialization.
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry or a related technical field required; a degree in Business Administration (or related field) is a plus
Minimum 3 years of experience in the materials science industry including hands‑on experience with early‑stage prototyping, pilot‑scale production, and/or product development
Demonstrated experience transitioning technologies out of the lab into products or commercial applications
Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: Coatings, adhesives, sealants, or elastomers
Nanomaterials
Polymer composites
Ability to read, interpret, and communicate technical data and reports to both technical and non‑technical audiences
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical reporting, structuring business documents, and presentations
Strong relationship‑building skills across diverse internal and external stakeholders
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience working with government or military customers is a plus
Due to government contracting regulations, U.S. Citizenship is a firm requirement
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Duties may occasionally be completed remotely using secure company equipment and software, at the supervisor's discretion.
Periodic travel to client sites, conferences, and related events is required
The role involves working in a laboratory environment and interacting with technical staff
#J-18808-Ljbffr