Role Description

Ocean Power Technologies is seeking a mission-driven U.S. Defense Director of Business Development to expand the company’s presence across the U.S. Department of War. This role will help deliver autonomous maritime capabilities that support real-world defense missions including distributed sensing, maritime domain awareness, and expeditionary operations in contested environments.

Candidates who thrive in fast-moving environments and want to help scale emerging maritime autonomy and sensing capabilities into operational defense programs will be particularly successful in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a sales strategy targeting the U.S. Department of Defense with emphasis on U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Naval Special Warfare, and related defense organizations.
• Identify operational mission gaps and align OPT capabilities with customer needs in maritime domain awareness, persistent sensing, and autonomous maritime operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with program offices, operational units, acquisition professionals, and defense innovation organizations.
• Shape and develop new opportunities across SBIR programs, OTAs, rapid acquisition initiatives, and traditional acquisition pathways.
• Lead opportunity capture and proposal development efforts in coordination with internal engineering, product, and leadership teams.
• Represent OPT at demonstrations, operational exercises, industry events, and government briefings.
• Support and coordinate field demonstrations, pilot programs, and operational evaluations with defense customers.
• Work with operational users to identify opportunities for field experimentation, operational exercises, and rapid capability demonstrations.
• Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to leadership on emerging defense mission needs, competitive landscape, and technology trends.
• Help inform product development priorities based on direct interaction with operational users.
• Contribute to the continued growth and scaling of OPT’s defense business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, International Relations, or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in U.S. government sales, defense business development, or capture management.
• Demonstrated success selling technology or capability solutions into the U.S. Department of War.
• Strong understanding of defense acquisition processes including rapid acquisition pathways and emerging technology transition mechanisms.
• Experience engaging program offices, operational units, and acquisition organizations within the Department of War.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel as required to support customer engagement, demonstrations, and exercises.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to the nature of government contracts.
• Active or eligible for a security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with autonomous systems, uncrewed platforms, robotics, or maritime technologies.
• Prior experience supporting or working with U.S. Marine Corps or Naval Special Warfare organizations.
• Existing relationships within relevant Department of War organizations.
• Experience supporting demonstrations, operational experimentation, or technology transition activities.
• Experience working with defense innovation organizations such as DIU, NavalX, AFWERX, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, or SOCOM innovation programs.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401(k)

Salary

Salary range is $140,000 - $160,000 per year and includes performance-based incentive compensation tied directly to revenue growth and contract awards in the U.S. defense market, bonus potential, and restricted stock awards.