Business Development Manager - Naval Surface and Combat Systems

Business Development Manager

Reston, VA Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified Career Level not specified $131,300 - $237,350

Job Description

Leidos is a trusted innovation partner to the U.S. Navy and the broader maritime community, delivering advanced solutions across combat systems integration, autonomy, and mission-critical technologies. Maritime growth is a cornerstone of Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategy, and we are investing aggressively to expand our impact in surface warfare and combat systems.

The Opportunity Leidos is seeking a seasoned Business Development (BD) Manager to drive growth across U.S. Navy surface warfare and combat systems programs. This role is ideal for a strategic, customer-focused leader who thrives at the intersection of technology, mission impact, and capture execution. You will shape pursuits from early customer engagement through contract award while helping differentiate Leidos in a highly competitive defense market.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with U.S. Navy surface warfare, combat systems, and acquisition stakeholders.
• Develop and execute winning business development and capture strategies aligned to Maritime growth objectives.
• Identify, qualify, and mature a robust pipeline of opportunities supporting near- and long-term revenue growth.
• Lead capture activities across the full business development lifecycle—from lead generation to proposal submission and award.
• Partner with senior executives, capture managers, program leaders, and solution architects to align strategy, messaging, and execution.
• Conduct competitive assessments and develop strategies that clearly differentiate Leidos capabilities.
• Collaborate across the Leidos enterprise to bring the full breadth of company capabilities to customer challenges.
• Support revenue, pipeline, and award targets through disciplined opportunity management.
• Develop marketing collateral, white papers, and thought leadership materials in partnership with technical teams.
• Represent Leidos at industry days, trade shows, conferences, and customer engagements.
• Apply AI-enabled tools to improve market analysis, strategy development, and pipeline execution.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance; active clearance strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 10+ years of experience; or Master's degree with 7+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of naval surface warfare, maritime operations, sensors, platforms, and combat systems.
• Proven experience leading business development and capture efforts within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Track record of shaping and winning new business with U.S. Navy and DoD customers.
• Established relationships with senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of government acquisition processes, contracting, and customer buying behaviors.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across geographically and organizationally diverse teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefings.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 33%, including CONUS and OCONUS, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• DAWIA Level III and/or PMP certification.
• Experience with PPBE processes.
• Familiarity with operational test and evaluation environments.
• Formal training in Business Development or Capture Management.

Why Leidos? At Leidos, you'll have the opportunity to directly influence naval modernization efforts while working alongside industry-leading technologists and strategists. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a mission-driven culture focused on innovation and impact.