The Role
Drive new customer acquisition and growth in aerospace, defense, and space manufacturing. Manage RFQs, quoting, and onboarding; liaise between customers and internal teams; conduct market research; maintain CRM pipeline; represent the company at events; and support estimating, technical discussions, and production execution to ensure successful customer programs.
Summary Generated by Built In
From Engine Bay to Payload, we protect vital structures and systems.
Hera Technologies is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in high-precision metallic and non-metallic solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space sectors. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has positioned us as an industry leader in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of thermal support systems. Our team is driven by excellence, integrity, and a passion for advancing aerospace technology.
Take the next step in your career with a company committed to excellence, where your contributions are recognized, and your potential is realized.
Hera Technologies is seeking a driven and customer-focused Business Development Associate to support new customer acquisition and strategic growth within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sectors. This role will work closely with customers, engineering, estimating, and operations teams to help drive new business opportunities from initial engagement through successful production execution. The ideal candidate combines strong relationship-building skills with a technical mindset and thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, prospect, and develop new customer opportunities within the aerospace, defense, space, and commercial manufacturing sectors
- Build relationships with supply chain, procurement, and buyer contacts across OEM customers to position Hera Technologies as a preferred and approved supplier
- Own new customer development activities from initial engagement through onboarding, production execution, and ongoing relationship management
- Serve as a primary liaison between customers and internal engineering, estimating, and operations teams
- Support RFQ review, quoting activities, and technical discussions with customers while partnering closely with engineering teams on manufacturing feasibility and technical requirements
- Rapidly assess incoming RFQs for feasibility and strategic alignment, ensuring timely responses to straightforward opportunities and coordinating complex opportunities with engineering and leadership teams
- Help organize and improve estimating and quoting processes across manufacturing commodity areas to support responsiveness and growth
- Drive proactive customer engagement through on-site visits, capability presentations, facility tours, outreach efforts, briefings, and follow-up activities
- Help drive successful execution and communication for new customer programs and production initiatives
- Conduct market research, competitive analysis, RFQ trend analysis, and opportunity mapping to identify strategic growth areas and proactive solution offerings
- Develop and present business development updates, pipeline reviews, and opportunity heat maps to leadership teams
- Participate in weekly bid and opportunity review meetings to evaluate active pursuits, proposal status, and strategic priorities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, industry partners, and key aerospace and defense stakeholders
- Maintain accurate opportunity tracking, pipeline management, and customer activity within CRM systems
- Support development of customer-facing presentations, capability overviews, and marketing materials
- Represent Hera Technologies at industry events, trade shows, conferences, and customer meetings
- Deliver a high-touch, professional customer experience that reflects Hera’s commitment to quality, responsiveness, and partnership
- Support additional business development and strategic growth initiatives as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
- 4+ years of experience in business development, account management, estimating, manufacturing sales, or customer-facing roles within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and executive-level stakeholders
- Ability to understand technical manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, and customer requirements
- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
- Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite
- Professional presence with strong customer engagement skills
- Ability to travel as needed to support customers, trade shows, and industry events
- Must be eligible to work in the United States and capable of meeting customer security or compliance requirements as applicable
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience within aerospace, defense, space, or precision manufacturing industries
- Familiarity with CNC machining, fabrication, composites, insulation systems, or aerospace manufacturing processes
- Exposure to estimating, quoting, or program management processes
- Experience supporting technical customer discussions alongside engineering teams
- Understanding of government contracting, aerospace supply chains, or defense industry requirements
- Existing industry relationships within aerospace and defense markets preferred
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. Retirement plan participation (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.
EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:
To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
- 4+ years of experience in business development, account management, estimating, manufacturing sales, or customer-facing roles within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to engage technical and executive stakeholders
- Ability to understand technical manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, and customer requirements
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through
- Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
- Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to travel as needed to support customers, trade shows, and industry events
- Must be eligible to work in the United States and capable of meeting customer security or compliance requirements as applicable
- Experience within aerospace, defense, space, or precision manufacturing industries
- Familiarity with CNC machining, fabrication, composites, insulation systems, or aerospace manufacturing processes
- Exposure to estimating, quoting, or program management processes
- Understanding of government contracting, aerospace supply chains, or defense industry requirements
- Existing industry relationships within aerospace and defense markets
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The Company
What We Do
Canopy Aerospace & Defense is an advanced materials and engineering company that designs, manufactures, and delivers specialized thermal protection systems and components for aerospace, defense, and maritime applications. They support OEMs through the full lifecycle, from R&D and design to turnkey manufacturing and refurbishment, focusing on high-performance solutions that improve survivability and mission readiness in extreme environments.
