Senior Business Development Manager, US Department of War

About this role

Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.

Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.

As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.

We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.

Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:

Planet is seeking a Business Development Manager focused on advancing the delivery of Planet’s solutions to solve high priority operational challenges at the US Combatant Commands in association with Military Service Elements and all procurement entities. This individual will need to lead execution of the entire business development lifecycle starting with the identification and understanding of critical operational needs, along with shaping of program requirements, budget, and procurement processes to ensure solutions are delivered to meet those warfighter needs.

Specific responsibilities include identifying and qualifying new business opportunities, pursuing long term strategic captures and supporting acquisition activities such as RFI’s, White Papers, Unsolicited Proposals, and RFPs while advocating for Planet capabilities to mission users within Defense organizations. Additionally, the BD Manager will contribute to the identification, prioritization and shaping of new business pursuits and the development and execution of capture strategies.

The ideal candidate knows how to navigate the complex relationships of a dynamic technology company with multiple priorities and will inspire our team and our partners. Planet’s solutions are innovative and novel, and we are looking for someone to educate stakeholders on the broader context of opportunities and keeping an eye on building the case for new product development.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our Washington, DC office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:

• Leverage existing and develop new, trusted relationships with current and prospective Planet customers and industry partners within the Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, and Military Services.

• Specifically, the role will need to create a strategy and engagement plan to align Planet solutions to increase support for DoW operations

• Actively participate in relevant community forums, events, industry days, and other means to continually increase Planet’s understanding of the Customer’s missions, long term visions and priorities, along with budgets and acquisition cycles to position Planet to earn new business and partnership opportunities

• Build the long term pipeline at Defense and Intelligence organizations through driving operational demand and identification of innovative ways to bring Planet solutions to the warfighter.

• Provide leadership and expertise in support of strategic planning, competitive intelligence and market assessments

• Partner collaboratively with USG Sales Director and Account Executives

• Maintain close alignment with Government Affairs on policy shaping activities

• Maintain close relationships with Business Development Managers across global regions, to ensure consistent approaches where appropriate and coordinate engagements with multi-country Defense Alliances and Coalitions

• Coordinate responses to RFIs and RFPs through bid decision to submission to ensure alignment to strategy

• Collaborate with Proposal Managers and Product Leadership on product positioning and pricing

What You Bring:

• 10+ years of relevant experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• Experience working directly within the US DoW Combatant Commands, Service Elements, and/or the Intelligence Community as a civilian or military officer

• Knowledge of, and experience working with, DoW Program Executive Offices and Portfolio Acquisition Executives, and associated requirement and budgetary entities

• Ability and experience in communicating effectively with senior level civilian leadership and/or military flag officers

• Experience forging mutually beneficial relationships with Defense and Intelligence organizations

• Excellent communication (speaking and writing), presentation, interpersonal, and organizational skills

• Achievements and relevant experience in the private and/or public sector in some combination of aerospace and remote sensing, data analytics, sales, business development, and military and intelligence roles

• Excellent project, time, and budget management skills

• Experience working collaboratively and independently in a dynamic environment with the ability to navigate unique challenges presented by its dynamic conditions

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience working across multiple parts of the US National Security Community - DoW and IC, to include:

• Serving in a role leading Operational support and execution functions, leveraging GEOINT, Data, Space, Intelligence, Airborne capabilities

• Working within a Combatant Command (J2, J3, J5, J8) or in an associated Service Element

• Active security clearance

Application Deadline:

November 24, 2026 at 11:59p PT

Benefits While Working at Planet:

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