Director, Business Development

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

What we need: QuantumScape is building a new defense and national security business focused on delivering mission-critical energy storage solutions for military, aerospace, and government customers. We are seeking a Director of Business Development to lead customer engagement, opportunity capture, strategic partnerships, and revenue growth within the defense sector.

This individual will serve as a key architect of QuantumScape's defense commercialization strategy, identifying and securing opportunities across the Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), DARPA, military services, prime contractors, aerospace companies, and emerging defense technology partners. The successful candidate will bridge customer needs with QuantumScape's technology roadmap and help transition innovative battery technologies into deployed defense programs.

Success in the First 12 Months:

• Build a qualified defense opportunity pipeline.
• Establish strategic relationships across key defense agencies and prime contractors.
• Secure initial customer engagements, funded programs, or partnership agreements.
• Help define QuantumScape's defense market strategy and commercialization roadmap.
• Position the company for long-term participation in defense and national security programs.

What You Will Do:

Market Development & Growth Strategy

• Develop and execute QuantumScape's defense business development strategy.
• Identify, prioritize, and qualify defense, aerospace, and national security opportunities.
• Build and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline aligned to company growth objectives.
• Assess market trends, customer requirements, acquisition programs, and competitive dynamics to inform strategy.

Customer & Government Engagement

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with:
• Department of Defense organizations
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
• Office of Strategic Capital (OSC)
• DARPA and government laboratories
• Military program offices
• Prime contractors and strategic defense partners
• Represent QuantumScape at customer briefings, industry conferences, and government meetings.
• Serve as the voice of the customer within the organization.

Capture & Partnership Leadership

• Lead opportunity capture activities from identification through contract award.
• Develop teaming arrangements and strategic partnerships with defense contractors, system integrators, and technology providers.
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and partnership agreements.
• Help create transition pathways from prototype and funded research programs into production opportunities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Engineering, Product, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, and Program Management teams.
• Translate customer requirements into product and technology priorities.
• Help shape qualification, testing, certification, and deployment strategies for defense applications.
• Provide market insights to influence product roadmaps and investment decisions.

Revenue & Program Expansion

• Support achievement of defense-sector revenue, funding, and partnership targets.
• Assist with securing government grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and strategic investments.
• Track and communicate business development metrics, pipeline health, and forecasted opportunities to senior leadership.

Skills you’ll need:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Military Studies, Public Policy, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in defense business development, capture management, government programs, aerospace, energy, or advanced technology markets.
• Demonstrated success winning and managing complex government and defense-related opportunities.
• Deep understanding of U.S. defense acquisition processes and contracting pathways.
• Experience working directly with DoD, military services, defense laboratories, or defense prime contractors.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively within highly technical, fast-paced environments.

Nice to have:

• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Prior military service with acquisition, engineering, or program management experience.
• Experience with advanced batteries, energy storage, electrification, aerospace systems, or defense technologies.
• Existing relationships with DIU, OSC, DARPA, military branches, national laboratories, or major defense contractors.
• Experience securing SBIR, OTA, BAA, or other government-funded programs.
• Active or previously held U.S. security clearance.

Location: This is a remote role based in Washington, DC or the DC metro area.

Compensation & Benefits: Expected salary range for this role is from $176,665 to $282,664, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, educational background and internal equity. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.