Sales Manager - Defense
GE Vernova, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Senior Sales Leader
GE Vernova Power Conversion and Storage is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Sales Leader to lead growth efforts within the US Navy, with a primary focus on the USN Battleship fleet and Autonomous Vessels. This role will be responsible for driving strategic customer engagement, navigating complex federal procurement processes, and delivering tailored solutions that align with the Department of Defense's mission-readiness goals. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in USN Surface Navy focused on electrical power, propulsion and control systems.
Essential Responsibilities
Deep U.S. Navy and Maritime Defense Market Expertise Demonstrated experience in U.S. Navy shipbuilding, naval acquisition, and maritime defense programs, with strong knowledge of requirements, procurement pathways, shipyard stakeholders, and prime contractor environments relevant to battleship-class programs.
Proven Capture and Strategic Growth Leadership Track record of leading capture strategies for large, complex defense and marine opportunities from early shaping through award, including opportunity qualification, competitive positioning, customer engagement, teaming strategy, and win plan execution.
Technical and Commercial Understanding of Integrated Marine Power Systems Strong understanding of shipboard power generation, electric propulsion, hybrid power architectures, automation, and vessel control systems, with the ability to align GE Vernova's capabilities to mission needs for autonomous naval vessels.
Autonomous Vessel and Emerging Technology Business Development Experience Experience identifying, shaping, and closing opportunities in autonomous or optionally unmanned vessel markets, including familiarity with autonomy-enabling platforms, digital control environments, system integration challenges, and evolving customer requirements across defense and commercial sectors.
Executive-Level Relationship Building and Cross-Functional Leadership Ability to build trusted relationships with Navy customers, primes, shipyards, OEM partners, and internal engineering/product teams, while leading cross-functional efforts across sales, capture, product management, legal, and operations to develop winning, executable growth strategies.
Lead RFP responses and proposal development, ensuring technical and commercial alignment with USN Strategy and GE Vernova solutions
Monitor and influence evolving USN autonomous platform policy and funding programs, including those from Office of Navy research, Darpa and relevant PEOs
Represent GE Vernova at key defense forums, industry conferences, and USN engagements, serving as a subject matter expert in power, propulsion and control systems
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or a related field
8+ years of sales or business development experience in the US Navy, or federal contracting sectors, with a proven track record of closing complex deals. Relevant military service experience will be considered
Demonstrated knowledge of USN structure, procurement processes, and federal contracting vehicles (e.g., OTA, DIU, FAR/DFAR).
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience with autonomous maritime, digital, or mission-critical control technologies
Experience supporting the development, sale, or integration of autonomous navigation, advanced automation, cybersecurity, or mission-critical control systems for naval, commercial marine, or unmanned vessel applications.
Established industry network across naval and marine ecosystems Strong existing relationships with U.S. Navy stakeholders, shipbuilders, prime contractors, naval architects, autonomous vessel developers, and marine industry partners that can accelerate opportunity identification and capture.
Advanced business or technical education MBA, master's degree in engineering, naval architecture, systems, or a related field, or equivalent combination of advanced education and relevant industry experience
GE Vernova Power Conversion and Storage is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Sales Leader to lead growth efforts within the US Navy, with a primary focus on the USN Battleship fleet and Autonomous Vessels. This role will be responsible for driving strategic customer engagement, navigating complex federal procurement processes, and delivering tailored solutions that align with the Department of Defense's mission-readiness goals. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in USN Surface Navy focused on electrical power, propulsion and control systems.
Essential Responsibilities
Deep U.S. Navy and Maritime Defense Market Expertise Demonstrated experience in U.S. Navy shipbuilding, naval acquisition, and maritime defense programs, with strong knowledge of requirements, procurement pathways, shipyard stakeholders, and prime contractor environments relevant to battleship-class programs.
Proven Capture and Strategic Growth Leadership Track record of leading capture strategies for large, complex defense and marine opportunities from early shaping through award, including opportunity qualification, competitive positioning, customer engagement, teaming strategy, and win plan execution.
Technical and Commercial Understanding of Integrated Marine Power Systems Strong understanding of shipboard power generation, electric propulsion, hybrid power architectures, automation, and vessel control systems, with the ability to align GE Vernova's capabilities to mission needs for autonomous naval vessels.
Autonomous Vessel and Emerging Technology Business Development Experience Experience identifying, shaping, and closing opportunities in autonomous or optionally unmanned vessel markets, including familiarity with autonomy-enabling platforms, digital control environments, system integration challenges, and evolving customer requirements across defense and commercial sectors.
Executive-Level Relationship Building and Cross-Functional Leadership Ability to build trusted relationships with Navy customers, primes, shipyards, OEM partners, and internal engineering/product teams, while leading cross-functional efforts across sales, capture, product management, legal, and operations to develop winning, executable growth strategies.
Lead RFP responses and proposal development, ensuring technical and commercial alignment with USN Strategy and GE Vernova solutions
Monitor and influence evolving USN autonomous platform policy and funding programs, including those from Office of Navy research, Darpa and relevant PEOs
Represent GE Vernova at key defense forums, industry conferences, and USN engagements, serving as a subject matter expert in power, propulsion and control systems
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or a related field
8+ years of sales or business development experience in the US Navy, or federal contracting sectors, with a proven track record of closing complex deals. Relevant military service experience will be considered
Demonstrated knowledge of USN structure, procurement processes, and federal contracting vehicles (e.g., OTA, DIU, FAR/DFAR).
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience with autonomous maritime, digital, or mission-critical control technologies
Experience supporting the development, sale, or integration of autonomous navigation, advanced automation, cybersecurity, or mission-critical control systems for naval, commercial marine, or unmanned vessel applications.
Established industry network across naval and marine ecosystems Strong existing relationships with U.S. Navy stakeholders, shipbuilders, prime contractors, naval architects, autonomous vessel developers, and marine industry partners that can accelerate opportunity identification and capture.
Advanced business or technical education MBA, master's degree in engineering, naval architecture, systems, or a related field, or equivalent combination of advanced education and relevant industry experience