---
title: 'Director, Business Development – USN/USMC at Heven AeroTech'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-business-development-usn-usmc-heven-aerotech-sterling-782s2tgh07n0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Director, Business Development – USN/USMC at Heven AeroTech

- **Company:** Heven AeroTech
- **Location:** Sterling, VA
- **Compensation:** $165k–$220k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hevenaerotech/jobs/4322543009

## Job description

Title:  Director, Business Development — U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps Company: Heven AeroTech Location: Washington, DC metro area (hybrid); frequent CONUS travel, including Hampton Roads, Quantico, and Patuxent River FLSA: Exempt Reports To: Chief Growth Officer

About Our Company: At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary: Heven AeroTech is seeking a Director of Business Development to own and grow our pursuit strategy across the Department of the Navy — United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC). This individual will be responsible for building a qualified pipeline, shaping requirements ahead of formal solicitations, and converting early-stage engagements such as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and prototype efforts into programs of record and sustained production contracts. The role requires a demonstrated track record of navigating Navy and Marine Corps acquisition, budget, and requirements processes, along with the credibility and network to open doors at the right level.

Essential Responsibilities:

- Own the USN/USMC business development strategy and pipeline, from opportunity identification through capture, proposal support, and award
- Build and convert a pathway from OTA and prototype efforts into programs of record, including transition planning, milestone documentation, and stakeholder alignment required for gate-shift decisions
- Develop and maintain relationships with Program Executive Offices (PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants, PEO C4I, PEO LCS, PMA offices within NAVAIR) and Marine Corps equivalents (PEO Land Systems, MCSC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration)
- Identify and engage budget holders and resource sponsors (OPNAV N9/N2N6, HQMC Programs and Resources) to understand funding lines, POM cycles, and budget insertion timing windows
- Track and influence requirements generation through engagement with Navy and Marine Corps requirements officers, warfare centers (NUWC, NAWC, NSWC), and operational user communities
- Map and pursue relevant contract vehicles, including NavalX and DIU OTAs, SBIR/STTR transition pathways, and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) prototyping efforts
- Lead or support customer call plans, Gate reviews, and capture strategy development in coordination with the growth team and executive leadership
- Represent Heven AeroTech at Navy and Marine Corps-focused industry days, conferences, and Fleet/MEF engagements, including events tied to INDOPACOM priorities
- Aggressively pursue opportunities to shape procurements and requirements ahead of formal competition — live and virtual demonstrations, white papers, consortium participation (e.g., IWRP, S²MARTS), trade shows, and government relations engagement
- Partner with Engineering, Product Development, and Program Management to ensure customer requirements and operational feedback inform the product roadmap
- Provide accurate, timely pipeline reporting and forecasting inputs consistent with the company-wide BD operating rhythm

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

- 10+ years of business development, capture, or program experience supporting Department of the Navy customers, with a track record of driving wins
- Demonstrated success growing an early-stage effort (OTA, prototype, SBIR) into a program of record or major program of record funding line
- Working knowledge of Navy and Marine Corps acquisition processes, including the roles of PEOs, resource sponsors, and requirements officers across the PPBE cycle
- Existing relationships with, or demonstrated ability to quickly build credibility among, Navy/Marine Corps PEOs, program offices, or equivalent budget and requirements stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree
- Active or reinstatable DoD Secret clearance; willingness and eligibility to obtain a higher clearance level (Top Secret preferred)

Preferred:

- Advanced degree in a related field
- Direct experience with, or exposure to, INDOPACOM priorities, exercises, or basing considerations relevant to unmanned systems
- Direct operational experience with Navy or Marine Corps unmanned aircraft systems, ISR, or related mission areas (prior military service, fleet support, or test and evaluation background)
- Familiarity with hydrogen propulsion, Group 2/3 UAS, or long-endurance unmanned systems
- Experience with Blue UAS and NDAA compliance considerations as they affect Navy/Marine Corps procurement decisions
- Existing familiarity with NAVAIR, NAVSEA, MCSC, or DIU processes and points of contact

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to travel frequently (up to 50%) via air and ground transportation to customer sites, conferences, and demonstrations across the continental U.S., including Hampton Roads, Quantico, and Patuxent River.
- Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing at a workstation) for extended periods while working on a computer, attending meetings, or participating in video conferences.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and in virtual settings, including presenting to large audiences at industry days, conferences, and customer briefings.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during trade shows, live demonstrations, Fleet/MEF engagements, and site visits, which may include outdoor environments such as airfields or test ranges.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and transport materials such as luggage, trade show displays, marketing materials, or demonstration equipment weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted.
- Ability to view computer screens and read detailed documents (proposals, solicitations, budget materials) for prolonged periods.

Benefits Overview: Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Budgeted Salary Range: $165,000—$220,000 USD

## About Heven AeroTech

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Heven AeroTech designs and manufactures hydrogen-powered drone systems for defense, public safety, and commercial missions, offering extended flight endurance, ultra-quiet operation, and zero-emission capabilities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Sterling, Virginia, United States (with offices in Bingen, WA; Miami, FL; Dulles, VA; and Mevoh Carmel, Israel)
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Bentzion Levinson (Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Aerospace & Defense, Unmanned Systems, Hydrogen Technology
- Target customers: Defense forces (U.S. Army, national security agencies), public safety organizations, commercial operators (surveillance, logistics, monitoring)
- Mission or purpose statement: "Engineering the Next Era of American Aerospace" — fusing rapid-cycle development with the reliability of a national industrial asset to build the future of American aerospace.

## Products & Services
- **Z1**: A Blue UAS Select hydrogen-powered drone for national security and defense missions, offering ultra-quiet endurance and trusted performance.
- **Raider**: A heavy-lift, mission-ready drone built for reliability and adaptability, capable of carrying payloads across challenging environments.
- **H2D55**: A hydrogen-powered drone platform optimized for long-endurance monitoring of borders, critical assets, and logistics.
- **Urban X**: A drone designed for urban and public safety operations, providing extended aerial support during critical response situations.
- **ATLAS**: A multi-role drone platform that serves as the "ultimate multi-role toolbox" for various mission configurations.
- **Refuelers**: On-demand hydrogen production and refueling systems that ensure operational independence in the field.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Total Funding**: $100.0M (Series B, November 2025, led by IonQ)
- **Key Metric**: Series B raised $100M; acquired HEVEN ENERGY LTD; awarded a U.S. Army Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) in March 2026 for the Z1 and associated hydrogen systems.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: IonQ (lead investor in Series B), Texas Venture Partners, Oracle Defense Ecosystem
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 136.5% YoY (61 employees as of mid-2026); expanded U.S. operations with new HQ in Sterling, VA; opened offices in Bingen, WA and Miami, FL; acquired Zepher Flight Labs; featured in The Defense Post; DIU (Defense Innovation Unit) approved the Z1 for the Blue UAS list.

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover in hydrogen-powered defense drones**: The only Blue UAS Select hydrogen-powered drone, providing a unique combination of ultra-quiet operation and extended flight endurance (up to 3x longer than battery-powered drones).
- **Vertical integration**: In-house hydrogen refueling technology (on-demand production) ensures operational independence and reduces logistics burden for customers.
- **Proven government contracts**: U.S. Army Basic Ordering Agreement and DIU approval signal trusted, mission-critical capability for defense customers.
- **Global talent pool**: Operations in both the U.S. and Israel combine American aerospace reliability with Israeli defense-tech innovation and rapid development cycles.
- **Strong IP and acquisitions**: Acquired HEVEN ENERGY LTD and Zepher Flight Labs, adding hydrogen fuel cell expertise and specialized flight capabilities.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling U.S. manufacturing and operations (new HQ in Virginia, expansion in Washington state and Florida).
- Deepening defense and government partnerships (Army BOA, Blue UAS listing).
- Integrating AI and quantum sensor technologies into drone platforms (hired VP of AI Samantha Hamilton; exploring quantum sensors).
- Expanding hydrogen infrastructure (refuelers and on-site production) to enable broader commercial adoption.
- Building a vertically integrated American aerospace company from design to production to field support.

## Why Work Here
- **High-growth environment**: 136.5% headcount growth YoY; company is scaling rapidly with significant funding and government contracts.
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to national security, public safety, and clean energy solutions through hydrogen-powered drone technology.
- **Global, collaborative culture**: Offices across the U.S. and Israel, with a diverse team of engineers, operations specialists, and defense veterans.
- **Strong leadership**: Experienced executives from defense, aerospace, and hydrogen industries (e.g., Karen Swider-Lyons as VP of Hydrogen Technology; Samantha Hamilton as VP of AI).
- **Active hiring**: 27 open positions as of mid-2026, including engineering roles (Mechanical, Fuel Cell, Production), technical roles (Assembly Technician, Configuration Manager), and compliance/supply chain roles (ITAR/EAR Specialist, Logistics Coordinator).
- **Hybrid/office policy**: Likely office-based given manufacturing and engineering focus, but multiple U.S. locations (Sterling, VA; Bingen, WA; Miami, FL) offer flexibility.
- **Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge hydrogen and drone technology; exposure to defense and government contracting; potential for rapid career growth in a scaling organization.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn - Heven AeroTech](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hevenaerotech)
2. [Heven Drones Official Website](https://hevendrones.com/)
3. [Heven AeroTech Official Website](https://hevenaerotech.com/)
4. [CB Insights - Heven AeroTech](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/heven-drones)
5. [Heven Drones - Contact Us](https://hevendrones.com/contact-us/)

## Other roles at Heven AeroTech

- [Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-heven-aerotech-bingen-k63bskzd0fft) — Bingen, WA
- [Senior Engineering Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineering-project-manager-heven-aerotech-bingen-0zm7b9ha17py) — Bingen, WA
- [Senior UAS Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-uas-operator-heven-aerotech-winchester-p6qr612wf6v3) — Winchester, VA
- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-heven-aerotech-bingen-hrfm27ggm762) — Bingen, WA
- [Hydrogen System Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/hydrogen-system-design-engineer-heven-aerotech-winchester-0en0v9dpt9c8) — Winchester, VA
- [Electronics & Programming Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/electronics-programming-engineer-heven-aerotech-winchester-50wxy4w2mrcr) — Winchester, VA
- [Proposal Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/proposal-manager-heven-aerotech-sterling-vjem1rn0jbwc) — Sterling, VA
- [Director, Business Development - U.S. Army](https://feeny.ai/job/director-business-development-u-s-army-heven-aerotech-sterling-8cgxf6jgnv30) — Sterling, VA
- [Machine Learning Engineer, Autonomy](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-autonomy-heven-aerotech-bingen-svrp1f374m7k) — Bingen, WA
- [Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-autonomy-heven-aerotech-sterling-b5ge78temkmy) — Sterling, VA