Undersea Mission Systems Business Development Lead

Job Description

WHAT WE'RE DOING
We are seeking a seasoned Business Development Lead with deep expertise in undersea mission to drive strategic growth in one of the most critical and technically demanding segments of naval defense. This senior-level role is ideal for a retiring or recently retired senior U.S. Navy submarine officer (O-5/O-6 or higher) who is ready to leverage decades of operational, leadership, and acquisition experience to deliver new business opportunities in submarines, undersea combat systems, sensors, weapons, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs).
You will operate with significant autonomy, serving as a trusted advisor to both internal leadership and senior Navy customers. You will identify, shape, and capture high-value opportunities in a highly relationship-driven domain where credibility, technical insight, and long-term customer partnerships are essential to success.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies for undersea warfare programs, including submarines, combat systems, sonar, torpedoes, UUVs, and related C5ISR capabilities.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key stakeholders across the U.S. Navy (OPNAV, NAVSEA, PEO Undersea Warfare Systems, fleet commands, and warfare centers such as NUWC) and broader DoD community.
• Identify, qualify, and lead capture efforts for new business opportunities. Manage a robust pipeline with a focus on large, complex, multi-year programs.
• Lead or support capture teams in developing win strategies, teaming arrangements, technical approaches, and price-to-win positions.
• Provide domain expertise to shape customer requirements and influence future program direction through white papers, customer engagements, and participation in industry events.
• Conduct market intelligence, competitive assessments, and strategic analysis to inform bid/no-bid decisions and long-term growth plans.
• Collaborate closely with technical, engineering, finance, contracts, and program management teams to develop compelling solutions and proposals.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, symposia (e.g., NSL, NDIA), and customer site visits.
• Achieve annual new business and sales goals consistent with senior BD expectations.

Basic Qualifications

• Deep Undersea Warfare Domain Expertise: Extensive operational or acquisition experience in submarine operations, undersea sensors, combat systems, weapons (e.g., torpedoes), sonar, unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), or related missions. Senior submarine officer background (e.g., Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, or senior staff at squadron/force level) is highly preferred.
• Business Development & Capture Experience: 8-15+ years progressive experience, including leading capture efforts, pipeline management, opportunity identification, business case development, win strategy formulation, and proposal leadership. Proven track record of winning or significantly contributing to large, complex undersea/maritime defense programs.
• Customer Relationships: Established senior-level contacts and relationships with U.S. Navy (e.g., NAVSEA, OPNAV, fleet commands, Program Executive Offices for Undersea Warfare), DoD stakeholders, and potentially industry partners. Ability to influence requirements and shape opportunities.
• Education: Bachelor's degree (Business, Engineering, Technical, or related field). Master's preferred. Equivalent military education (e.g., War College) often substitutes well.
• Security Clearance: Active or ability to obtain Top Secret (TS) clearance; SCI or current TS strongly preferred.
• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes (JCIDS, PPBE, FAR/DFARS), budgeting, contracting vehicles, competitive landscape, and financial analysis (e.g., price-to-win, ROI).
• Leadership & Communication: Exceptional written/oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to operate independently, lead cross-functional teams (technical, finance, contracts), and influence without direct authority.

Desired skills

Senior Submarine Officer (O-5/O-6 or higher, e.g., Captain or Flag officer): Command-at-sea experience, Pentagon/OPNAV/NAVSEA tours, or program management background in undersea systems. This provides unmatched credibility with Navy customers.
• Proven BD Track Record: Direct experience in undersea combat systems, maritime C5ISR, autonomy/UUVs, or related domains. Success in growing pipelines valued at hundreds of millions.
• Strategic & Analytical Skills: Market analysis, competitor assessment, strategic planning, financial modeling, and developing capture strategies/teaming arrangements.
• Technical Familiarity: Working knowledge of undersea platforms, sensors, weapons, and emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML for undersea ops, contested environments, AUKUS-related efforts).
• PMP, DAWIA certifications, or equivalent.
• Experience with international partners or Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
• Prior industry BD or capture management roles post-retirement.
• Familiarity with tools like GovWin for opportunity tracking.
• Strong networking in the undersea community (e.g., NSL, SNA, or warfare centers like NUWC).

EEO

Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.

*

At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.


With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.

If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you're invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.

Other Important Information

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Work Schedule Information

Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.

National Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $151,200 - $266,570. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.

Premium Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $173,900 - $301,415. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.