Commercial Officer

Dracoe Description

Dracoe develops mission-ready drone capabilities to support Western democracies in a rapidly changing global security environment. Built on real-world operational experience, the company focuses on scaling sovereign technologies to enable drone dominance and deliver clear operational advantage. Dracoe designs and mass produces NDAA-compliant, modular, open-architecture drone systems in state-of-the-art facilities in the United States. Every drone is engineered for mission success, combining cutting-edge technology with proven reliability and operational relevance. The company is growing and actively recruiting for multiple roles to support its expanding operations.

The Commercial Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing Dracoe’s contractual and commercial framework across customer, supplier, manufacturing, and strategic partner relationships. As the company’s lead authority on contract strategy and commercial governance, the role supports Growth, Factory, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance functions by negotiating agreements, managing commercial risk, supporting bid and proposal activities, and ensuring contractual arrangements enable sustainable growth, operational resilience, and profitable delivery.

Roles & Responsibilities Commercial Strategy & Governance

• Develop and own Dracoe’s commercial strategy, policies, templates, and standards.
• Establish contract governance processes and approval frameworks.
• Ensure contractual arrangements align with company objectives, risk appetite, and growth strategy.
• Maintain oversight of all significant customer, supplier, manufacturing, and strategic partnership agreements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks.

Customer Contracting & Defense Acquisition

• Lead contract negotiations with defense, government, and commercial customers.
• Maintain expert knowledge of Defense acquisition and procurement processes, contracting frameworks, and tendering requirements.
• Support customer engagement activities by providing commercial and contractual guidance.
• Manage contract formation, amendments, renewals, performance obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Act as the primary commercial interface for customer contract matters.

Bid & Proposal Support

• Support business development and capture activities through the preparation and review of commercial proposals.
• Develop pricing structures, commercial terms, payment schedules, warranties, and contractual conditions for bids and tenders.
• Contribute to bid/no-bid assessments and commercial risk evaluations.
• Ensure proposal submissions are commercially competitive while protecting company interests.
• Work closely with Growth, Finance, and Operations to develop executable and profitable contract structures.

Supply Chain, Procurement & Manufacturing Support

• Support the Factory’s Supply Chain, and Procurement teams through the development, negotiation, and management of commercial agreements.
• Provide contractual and commercial expertise for supplier selection, procurement activities, and manufacturing partnerships.
• Lead commercial negotiations with key suppliers, subcontractors, and contract manufacturing partners.
• Establish and maintain framework agreements, long-term supply agreements, and strategic sourcing contracts.
• Work with Procurement and Operations to secure favorable pricing, delivery schedules, warranty provisions, service levels, and supply continuity commitments.
• Partner with Finance to negotiate payment and credit terms that optimize working capital and support production growth.
• Support supply chain risk management activities through appropriate contractual protections and performance obligations.
• Assist in resolving supplier disputes, contract performance issues, and commercial escalations.
• Ensure supplier and manufacturing agreements align with production requirements, quality standards, regulatory obligations, and company growth objectives.

Commercial Risk Management

• Evaluate contractual, financial, operational, and delivery risks across all major agreements.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of risk between Dracoe, customers, and suppliers.
• Support dispute resolution, claims management, and contract remediation activities.
• Maintain accurate contract records, obligations tracking, and reporting.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Growth, Finance, Operations, Engineering, and external legal advisors.
• Provide commercial guidance to leadership on strategic opportunities and partnerships.
• Support the development of scalable commercial processes as the company grows.

Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Commerce, Law, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Defense Studies, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in contracts, commercial management, procurement, business development, or related commercial roles.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing complex customer and supplier contracts.
• Strong understanding of government and defense procurement and acquisition processes.
• Experience supporting tender responses, bids, proposals, and commercial negotiations.
• Knowledge of contract formation, risk allocation, pricing structures, payment terms, warranties, and commercial governance.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholders including business development, operations, finance, procurement, and external partners.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Qualifications – Preferred

• Experience within the defense, aerospace, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing, technology, or government contracting sectors.
• Experience supporting Defense acquisition programs and major capability projects.
• Experience negotiating agreements with contract manufacturers, strategic suppliers, and technology partners.
• Familiarity with export controls, defense trade regulations, and government contracting requirements.
• Experience implementing commercial governance frameworks and contract management systems.
• Professional qualifications in contract management, procurement, commercial management, or project management.