Business Development Director – Propulsion Products

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Business Development Director to lead the growth of Dawn’s propulsion business. In this key leadership position, you will be responsible for driving global sales of Dawn’s space propulsion systems — from initial engagement through to contract closure and long-term partnership development.

You will manage a small, high-performing business development team and work closely with the CRO, engineering, and program management teams to deliver exceptional value to our customers.

This is a unique opportunity to combine technical insight with strategic commercial leadership in one of the most exciting and fast-growing sectors of the space industry.

Dawn Aerospace propulsion systems are currently powering over 170 thrusters across more than 40 satellites in orbit, with additional launches scheduled in the coming weeks. Our systems are trusted by leading satellite manufacturers and operators worldwide, demonstrating Dawn’s position as a global leader in sustainable in-space propulsion.

Key Responsibilities

Own and drive global business development for Dawn’s space propulsion products across chemical and electric propulsion.

Lead the sales process end-to-end: from prospecting and qualification, through technical and commercial proposal development, to negotiation and closing.

Develop and execute market strategies to expand Dawn’s customer base across satellite integrators, operators, and space agencies.

Build and nurture long-term relationships with key stakeholders and strategic partners across the space ecosystem.

Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure customer requirements are well understood and technically feasible.

Lead and mentor a team of three business development professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.

Contribute to strategic planning, pipeline management, and revenue forecasting alongside the CRO and executive team.

Represent Dawn Aerospace at international industry events, conferences, and trade shows.

Requirements

Experience: 10+ years in business development, sales, or commercial leadership roles within the satellite or launch industry.

Technical knowledge: Strong understanding of spacecraft propulsion systems, satellite platforms, or launch vehicles.

Commercial excellence: Proven track record of leading complex sales processes and closing high-value contracts.

Leadership: Experience managing and developing small teams and collaborating cross-functionally.

Communication: Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to bridge technical and commercial discussions effectively.

Strategic mindset: Able to combine high-level strategy with hands-on execution.

Global exposure: Comfortable working across international markets and cultures; willing to travel globally (approximately 25–40%).

Education: Degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related technical field; MBA or business qualification a plus.

Why Join Dawn Aerospace

Join a pioneering company redefining sustainable access to and movement in space.

Work in a collaborative, international environment at the intersection of advanced engineering and commercial innovation.

Contribute directly to the growth of a world-leading green propulsion provider with proven flight heritage.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Dawn Aerospace, we believe that diverse teams build better solutions. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued and supported to do their best work.

About Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company with a purpose.
Our mission is to enable the next generation of space users by providing more sustainable and scalable ways to access and move around in space. We believe this access, in the form of a transportation network, will fundamentally change what’s possible from space. We currently focus on three areas of space transportation:

In-space propulsion
We're a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems for various classes of satellites. Our systems utilise safe, accessible propellants and we have over 170 of these propulsion units on 41 operational satellites already. A further 200 units are in production.

In-space servicing
Coupled with our propulsion expertise, we are ensuring that our customers' satellites are refuellable. In the coming years, Dawn will offer a refueling service to enable life extension of customer satellites. This new market is aligned with our sustainability goal to ensue a clean and safe space for everyone! 

Spaceplane
Our Mk-II Aurora spaceplane demonstrator has completed over 50 successful flights and we recently completed campaigns utilising our in-house rocket engine. Mk-II is unique in that it combines the performance of a rocket and the rapid reusability and economic model of an aircraft.

Our international teams are distributed across four locations: the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.

To all recruitment agencies: Dawn Aerospace does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our job’s alias, our employees, or any other company location. Dawn Aerospace will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.