Director of Business Development - Kepler US - US Government
Sterling, Virginia
Business Development – Government & Defense /
Full-time Regular /
Hybrid
At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of connectivity - we're leading it!
Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access in space, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 23 satellites already launched and a next-generation optical network on the way, we’re creating the infrastructure that will power the space economy for decades to come.
Technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.
If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!
What We Offer:
- Competitive compensation designed to recognize and reward your contributions.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.
- 401(k) and an annual Wellness Allowance.
- Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
- Semi-annual company-wide parties and regular (virtual and team events.
- Relocation packages available for approved roles.
- $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
- Town Halls, Celebration Calls and Frequent company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
As Kepler’s business grows in Canada and Europe, our next step is to expand the Kepler footprint in the United States, both commercially and by supporting the US Government. We are seeking a highly driven Business Development Director to lead our capture efforts across the US DoD, Intelligence, and Civil customer base.
Reporting to our US Senior Director of Business Development and as part of a small team of passionate and accomplished experts, you will play a pivotal role in growing the business through the development of Kepler offerings, customer relationships, and strategic vision – laser-focused on the Kepler vision of putting the internet in space. In this hands-on position, you will work with colleagues in business development, leadership, and engineering teams, as well as our customers, driving growth and market presence for Kepler.
The ideal candidate is a driven, hunter-minded professional with experience working with government and commercial customers, an existing network of relevant industry contacts, and a solid understanding of government and commercial drivers of success in the space sector. The candidate has intellectual horsepower with the ability to identify new opportunities, drive clarity, create focus, and make tough decisions in complex and dynamic contexts.
Day-to-day Activities:
- Engage with customers to understand architectures, requirements, acquisition plans, budgets, and key stakeholders
- Develop and execute US Government capture strategies targeting departments and agencies within the DoD and intelligence community
- Identify, qualify, pursue, and close new business opportunities within the US Government and related US commercial space sectors
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including commanders, directors, program managers, contracting officers, and prime contractors
- Collaborate with Kepler internal teams to shape solutions that meet customer requirements
Product & Operations:
- Maintain an accurate sales forecast and pipeline in Salesforce in collaboration with other capture managers
- Support Kepler’s long-term forecasts and planning
- Guide strategic product road maps and internal research & development to achieve product market fit
- Support budget reviews and planning for forthcoming bid and proposal efforts
Capture & Proposal Management:
- Navigate government procurement cycles, including FAR-based contracts, SBIRs, BAAs, OTAs, and sole-source opportunities
- Lead efforts on competitive cost-plus and firm-fixed-priced bids for space systems and relay services
- Provide capture management leadership in addition to writing, evaluating, and/or managing large government proposals
Travel & Marketing:
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and government meetings
- Travel approximately 25-30% of the time, mostly domestic with some international travel
- Support the Public Relations team on their press releases, marketing materials, and social media accounts
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related field
- 10+ years of business development and capture experience in the space or defense sectors
- Proven track record of hunting and securing US government contracts
- Experience selling to NASA, NOAA, NSF, and other civil agencies like CSA, ESA, and JAXA
- Proven track record of hunting and securing US government contracts
- Experience selling to the Space Force, NRO, SDA, DIU, Navy, Army etc
- Able to regularly report to the Sterling, VA office
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency with Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Must be a US Citizen
Bonus Points:
- Master’s degree in a STEM field and/or MBA
- Experience in the New Space industry
- An active US Department of Defense TS/SCI clearance
- Prior US military experience
Use of AI in Recruitment
At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Kepler is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs.
