Business Development Manager
GE Vernova, Washington, DC, United States
Senior Business Development Manager We are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager with deep expertise in U.S. Department of Defense R&D funding ecosystems to drive growth of our government-sponsored research portfolio. This individual will be the primary business development lead for DoD opportunities, with a strong focus on agencies such as DARPA, ARPA-E, the DoD Service Labs (ARL, NRL, AFRL), OSD R&E, DIU, SCO, and the DoD S&T community at large. The ideal candidate brings firsthand experience navigating the DoD R&D landscape whether as a former DARPA Program Manager, SETA/FFRDC analyst, DoD S&T program officer, or defense-sector business development professional. You understand how programs are conceived, funded, and executed. You know how to shape opportunities, build customer relationships, and position a technology organization to win. You are equally comfortable in a technical deep-dive with researchers as you are in a strategy session with a Flag Officer or SES. This role reports to the Director of Government Business Development and works closely with the Advanced Research Center's technology leaders, proposal teams, contracts/legal, and GE Vernova business segment stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities Pipeline Development & Opportunity Identification
Proactively identify, qualify, and develop a robust pipeline of DoD-funded R&D opportunities, including grants, cooperative agreements, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and FAR-based contracts (including SBIR/STTR subtopics, BAAs, RFPs, and CSOs)
Monitor and analyze DoD budget documents (PB/RDT&E), Congressional authorizations/appropriations, National Defense Strategy priorities, and agency-specific strategic plans to identify emerging opportunities aligned with GE Vernova's technology portfolio
Track and interpret solicitations from DARPA, ARPA-E, Service Labs, OSD, CDAO, DIU, SCO, SOCOM, and other key R&D funding organizations
Maintain awareness of the broader DoD S&T ecosystem, including OUSD(R&E) modernization priorities, Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) lists, and Joint Warfighting Concept areas
Customer Engagement & Relationship Management
Build and sustain trusted relationships with DoD program managers, technical directors, contracting officers, and senior leadership across key agencies
Develop and execute customer engagement plans, including white paper submissions, capability briefings, lab day participation, technology demonstrations, and strategic dialogues
Represent GE Vernova Advanced Research Center at key DoD conferences, industry days, and technical symposia (e.g., DARPA Forward, TechConnect, NDIA, AUSA, AFA, etc.)
Serve as GE Vernova's "face to the customer" for DoD R&D, ensuring the company is well-positioned as a trusted partner for high-priority national security technology challenges
Capture Management & Proposal Leadership
Lead capture efforts for priority DoD pursuits, developing win strategies, competitive assessments, teaming arrangements, and pricing strategies
Orchestrate cross-functional capture teams including principal investigators, technology leads, proposal managers, contracts specialists, and finance/pricing staff
Drive the development of compelling proposals, white papers, and quad charts that clearly articulate GE Vernova's technical differentiation and value proposition
Manage gate reviews and bid
o-bid decisions in accordance with internal business development processes
Strategic Shaping & Thought Leadership
Proactively shape future DoD R&D programs by engaging early with government stakeholders, providing technology insights, and influencing program requirements where appropriate and ethical
Identify and cultivate strategic teaming relationships with universities, small businesses, FFRDCs/UARCs, and other prime contractors to strengthen competitive positioning
Provide strategic intelligence and market assessments to Advanced Research Center leadership, informing technology investment decisions and R&D roadmaps
Support the development of GE Vernova's government R&D growth strategy, including market sizing, portfolio gap analysis, and new market entry assessments
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the DoE-focused business development counterpart to ensure coherent engagement across the broader U.S. government R&D portfolio and identify dual-use / cross-agency opportunities
Partner with GE Vernova business segments (Power, Wind, Electrification) to align government R&D programs with commercial technology transition pathways
Work with Contracts & Legal to ensure appropriate contract vehicles, IP protections, and compliance with government regulations (FAR/DFARS, CAS, export controls, ITAR/EAR, CUI, etc.)
Coordinate with Government Affairs / Washington Operations on legislative and policy matters affecting the DoD R&D landscape
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
Experience in DoD R&D program management, S&T policy, defense technology consulting (SETA/FFRDC), and/or government-facing business development
Deep, demonstrated knowledge of the DoD R&D funding landscape, including:
Familiarity with DoD budget structure (6.1 6.4 RDT&E categories)
Experience with BAAs, FAR-based contracts, cooperative agreements, OTAs, and grants
Understanding of DoD acquisition pathways (MTA, JCIDS, adaptive acquisition, etc.)
Established network of relationships within the DoD S&T community (DARPA, Service Labs, OSD R&E, DIU, or equivalent)
Demonstrated track record of identifying, capturing, and winning government-funded R&D programs valued at $1M$50M+
Experience developing and delivering technical white papers, proposals, and executive-level capability briefings to government audiences
Strong understanding of intellectual property, data rights, and export control considerations in the context of government-funded R&D
Active or recently active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret minimum; Top Secret/SCI preferred) or ability to obtain
U.S. Citizenship required (due to nature of work and customer engagement requirements)
Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline, or MBA/MS in a related field
Former DARPA Program Manager, ARPA-E PM, or DoD S&T Program Officer with direct experience conceiving, funding, and managing R&D portfolios
Former SETA or FFRDC staff supporting DARPA, OSD R&E, Service Labs, or equivalent agencies
Experience with energy, power systems, advanced materials, AI/ML, autonomy, cyber-physical systems, hypersonics, directed energy, or advanced manufacturing particularly in dual-use technology contexts
Familiarity with ARPA-E, DoE EERE, DoE OE, DoE CESER, or DoE National Labs ability to identify cross-agency synergies is a strong plus
Experience working within a large, matrixed industrial R&D organization (GE, national lab, or equivalent)
Working knowledge of Shipley or similar capture management methodologies
Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
Existing relationships with key GE Vernova government stakeholders and customers
Desired Characteristics Entrepreneurial mindset you are a self-starter who can build a pipeline from scratch, open doors, and create opportunities where none existed
Technical credibility you can hold your own in conversations with world-class researchers and translate complex technology into compelling customer value propositions
Customer obsession you genuinely enjoy understanding the customer's mission, problems, and decision-making process and thrive on building long-term trusted relationships
Strategic and analytical thinker you connect the dots between national security priorities, funding trends, competitive dynamics, and internal technology capabilities
Collaborative leader you bring out the best in cross-functional teams and can influence without authority across a complex, matrixed organization
Results-driven you are accountable, metrics-oriented, and relentless in pursuing wins
High integrity you understand the ethical and compliance boundaries of government business development and operate with the highest standards
Passion for the mission you are energized by the intersection of advanced technology, national security, and the energy transition
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development
Key Responsibilities Pipeline Development & Opportunity Identification
Proactively identify, qualify, and develop a robust pipeline of DoD-funded R&D opportunities, including grants, cooperative agreements, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and FAR-based contracts (including SBIR/STTR subtopics, BAAs, RFPs, and CSOs)
Monitor and analyze DoD budget documents (PB/RDT&E), Congressional authorizations/appropriations, National Defense Strategy priorities, and agency-specific strategic plans to identify emerging opportunities aligned with GE Vernova's technology portfolio
Track and interpret solicitations from DARPA, ARPA-E, Service Labs, OSD, CDAO, DIU, SCO, SOCOM, and other key R&D funding organizations
Maintain awareness of the broader DoD S&T ecosystem, including OUSD(R&E) modernization priorities, Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) lists, and Joint Warfighting Concept areas
Customer Engagement & Relationship Management
Build and sustain trusted relationships with DoD program managers, technical directors, contracting officers, and senior leadership across key agencies
Develop and execute customer engagement plans, including white paper submissions, capability briefings, lab day participation, technology demonstrations, and strategic dialogues
Represent GE Vernova Advanced Research Center at key DoD conferences, industry days, and technical symposia (e.g., DARPA Forward, TechConnect, NDIA, AUSA, AFA, etc.)
Serve as GE Vernova's "face to the customer" for DoD R&D, ensuring the company is well-positioned as a trusted partner for high-priority national security technology challenges
Capture Management & Proposal Leadership
Lead capture efforts for priority DoD pursuits, developing win strategies, competitive assessments, teaming arrangements, and pricing strategies
Orchestrate cross-functional capture teams including principal investigators, technology leads, proposal managers, contracts specialists, and finance/pricing staff
Drive the development of compelling proposals, white papers, and quad charts that clearly articulate GE Vernova's technical differentiation and value proposition
Manage gate reviews and bid
o-bid decisions in accordance with internal business development processes
Strategic Shaping & Thought Leadership
Proactively shape future DoD R&D programs by engaging early with government stakeholders, providing technology insights, and influencing program requirements where appropriate and ethical
Identify and cultivate strategic teaming relationships with universities, small businesses, FFRDCs/UARCs, and other prime contractors to strengthen competitive positioning
Provide strategic intelligence and market assessments to Advanced Research Center leadership, informing technology investment decisions and R&D roadmaps
Support the development of GE Vernova's government R&D growth strategy, including market sizing, portfolio gap analysis, and new market entry assessments
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the DoE-focused business development counterpart to ensure coherent engagement across the broader U.S. government R&D portfolio and identify dual-use / cross-agency opportunities
Partner with GE Vernova business segments (Power, Wind, Electrification) to align government R&D programs with commercial technology transition pathways
Work with Contracts & Legal to ensure appropriate contract vehicles, IP protections, and compliance with government regulations (FAR/DFARS, CAS, export controls, ITAR/EAR, CUI, etc.)
Coordinate with Government Affairs / Washington Operations on legislative and policy matters affecting the DoD R&D landscape
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
Experience in DoD R&D program management, S&T policy, defense technology consulting (SETA/FFRDC), and/or government-facing business development
Deep, demonstrated knowledge of the DoD R&D funding landscape, including:
Familiarity with DoD budget structure (6.1 6.4 RDT&E categories)
Experience with BAAs, FAR-based contracts, cooperative agreements, OTAs, and grants
Understanding of DoD acquisition pathways (MTA, JCIDS, adaptive acquisition, etc.)
Established network of relationships within the DoD S&T community (DARPA, Service Labs, OSD R&E, DIU, or equivalent)
Demonstrated track record of identifying, capturing, and winning government-funded R&D programs valued at $1M$50M+
Experience developing and delivering technical white papers, proposals, and executive-level capability briefings to government audiences
Strong understanding of intellectual property, data rights, and export control considerations in the context of government-funded R&D
Active or recently active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret minimum; Top Secret/SCI preferred) or ability to obtain
U.S. Citizenship required (due to nature of work and customer engagement requirements)
Preferred Qualifications Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline, or MBA/MS in a related field
Former DARPA Program Manager, ARPA-E PM, or DoD S&T Program Officer with direct experience conceiving, funding, and managing R&D portfolios
Former SETA or FFRDC staff supporting DARPA, OSD R&E, Service Labs, or equivalent agencies
Experience with energy, power systems, advanced materials, AI/ML, autonomy, cyber-physical systems, hypersonics, directed energy, or advanced manufacturing particularly in dual-use technology contexts
Familiarity with ARPA-E, DoE EERE, DoE OE, DoE CESER, or DoE National Labs ability to identify cross-agency synergies is a strong plus
Experience working within a large, matrixed industrial R&D organization (GE, national lab, or equivalent)
Working knowledge of Shipley or similar capture management methodologies
Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
Existing relationships with key GE Vernova government stakeholders and customers
Desired Characteristics Entrepreneurial mindset you are a self-starter who can build a pipeline from scratch, open doors, and create opportunities where none existed
Technical credibility you can hold your own in conversations with world-class researchers and translate complex technology into compelling customer value propositions
Customer obsession you genuinely enjoy understanding the customer's mission, problems, and decision-making process and thrive on building long-term trusted relationships
Strategic and analytical thinker you connect the dots between national security priorities, funding trends, competitive dynamics, and internal technology capabilities
Collaborative leader you bring out the best in cross-functional teams and can influence without authority across a complex, matrixed organization
Results-driven you are accountable, metrics-oriented, and relentless in pursuing wins
High integrity you understand the ethical and compliance boundaries of government business development and operate with the highest standards
Passion for the mission you are energized by the intersection of advanced technology, national security, and the energy transition
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development