BD Manager (EMEA)
This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.
About us
Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.
We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.
Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.
We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.
Position Overview
London · Full time · Travel across Europe, the Middle East and Africa
You'll grow our business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The focus is defence, national security and prime contractors, alongside institutional and commercial customers.
What you'll do
Build relationships with defence customers, prime contractors and space agencies
Lead opportunities from first conversation to contract, including tenders and framework routes
Work with technical sales and bids on proposals
Represent Foundational at industry and defence events
Track policy and procurement developments to find new opportunities
What you'll bring
Several years in business development in space, defence or national security
A network across UK and European defence and space primes and agencies
An understanding of government procurement
Eligibility for UK security clearance (SC); current clearance is a plus
Nice to have
Experience in the space domain awareness or space situational awareness market
ESA and national agency programmes
A second European language
What We Offer
A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company
EMI share options (UK employees)
25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
Enhanced Parental Leave
Cycle to work schemes
Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics
Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials
We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.
Skills Required
- Several years of business development experience in space, defence, or national security
- Network across UK and European defence and space primes and agencies
- Understanding of government procurement
- Eligibility for UK security clearance at SC level
- Experience in the space domain awareness or space situational awareness market
- Experience with ESA and national agency programmes
- Second European language
What We Do
We're an early-stage, mission-driven startup tackling one of the most exciting and complex challenges today to create the most precise understanding of space and earth using ground-based lasers. Using satellite laser ranging (SLR) data we are empowering the next generation of space companies with exquisite data that allows new forms of resilient navigation, earth observation and precise space traffic control - essential for the sustainability and resilience of the space domain, resilient navigation an the future of earth observation.
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