Director, USG Growth, Defense

About Northwood:

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you are energized by building at a high-velocity company and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood.

Role:

Northwood Space is seeking a Director, USG Growth, Defense to drive growth across U.S. military space customers and help shape the company’s strategy in support of critical national security missions. This person will lead Northwood’s engagement across priority military space accounts, develop deep relationships across the defense space ecosystem, and serve as a strategic partner to leadership, product, engineering, and mission teams as we expand our footprint in this market.

This role is focused on U.S. military space organizations and mission partners, with particular emphasis on U.S. Space Force customers including SSC, Space RCO, and other key stakeholders, as well as Combatant Commands, joint organizations, and other service customers as appropriate. The right candidate will bring a strong understanding of military space priorities and acquisition dynamics, and will help Northwood not only win new business, but also shape where and how the company invests, prioritizes, and delivers in support of this mission set.

Responsibilities:

• Drive end-to-end business development and growth across U.S. defense space customers, from early customer engagement and mission shaping through contract award and follow-on expansion

• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across defense space organizations, including operators, program managers, acquisition officials, technical leaders, and industry partners

• Create and execute account and campaign strategies for priority customers, mission areas, and adjacent partner organizations

• Identify, shape, and pursue opportunities aligned to Northwood’s capabilities in areas such as Space Superiority, Space Sensing, Space Data Networking, and other critical defense priorities

• Partner closely with product, engineering, mission management, and leadership teams to translate customer mission needs into company strategy, technical positioning, capture, and successful program execution

• Provide insight into defense space priorities, funding dynamics, acquisition pathways, and customer requirements to inform Northwood’s product direction and long-term growth plans

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in business development, growth, capture, program strategy, military operations, or related roles supporting or serving U.S. military and defense missions

• Experience developing, shaping, or executing complex technical programs or opportunities relevant to defense customers, with knowledge of defense space organizations, mission priorities, and acquisition dynamics

• Ability to maintain or obtain a TS/SCI clearance and work in-person in Los Angeles; remote possible for the right candidate

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with or within U.S. Space Force organizations, including SSC, Space RCO, and related defense space stakeholders

• Experience supporting or operating in mission areas such as Space Superiority, Space Sensing, space communications, networking, or tactical data transport

• Experience engaging with or serving alongside Combatant Commands, joint organizations, or other military service stakeholders on space-relevant mission needs

• Experience with defense acquisition pathways, including procurement of commercial capabilities and non-traditional contracting approaches

• Experience at an early-stage space, defense-tech, or national security company

• Established relationships across defense space stakeholders, prime contractors, and defense ecosystem partners

Additional Information:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.