Space Business Development Engineer
About The Position
Cole Engineering Services (CESI)/By Light seeks a technically authoritative and strategically driven Space Business Development Engineer to lead growth across U.S. Space Force (USSF), DoD Space, NASA, and prime contractor ecosystems. This role sits at the intersection of advanced concept engineering, internal solution architecture, and enterprise capture strategy. The selected candidate will shape, position, and secure high-value modeling & simulation, training, and digital engineering opportunities within the expanding national security space market, while ensuring internal capabilities evolve in alignment with strategic demand.Serving as both technical ambassador and growth integrator, this position directly supports CESI’s expansion into multi-billion-dollar DoD space initiatives. By combining space engineering expertise with disciplined capture execution and internal capability development, the Space Business Development Engineer will increase probability of win, mature strategic offerings, and strengthen CESI’s position as a trusted partner in the national security space ecosystem.
Requirements
- A Batchelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related technical field.
- Experience in the national security space or civil space sectors (NASA, USSF, or major aerospace primes).
- Proven track record in a lead engineering or systems architecture role, specifically managing complex, multidisciplinary hardware, or software integration projects.
- Must hold an active Secret security clearance.
- Proficiency in developing or managing advanced simulation training technology and virtual environments.
- Experience defining Concept of Operations (ConOps), Design Reference Missions (DRM), and functional requirements for space-based platforms.
- Familiarity with the full product lifecycle, including verification, validation (V&V), and Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) testing protocols.
- Skilled in industry-standard tools such as Jira/Confluence for requirements management and software for digital twin development.
- Ability to perform architecture trade studies, FMECA, and technical risk reduction strategies for complex systems.
- Exceptional ability to translate complex engineering concepts into compelling value propositions for stakeholders, investors, or government customers.
- Proven capability to build cross-functional relationships and strategic partnerships across the DoD, NASA, and commercial space industry.
- Strong background in Agile development, technical budget management, and mentoring junior engineering staff.
- Ability to analyze industry funding priorities and identify "white-space" opportunities for internal R&D alignment
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute CESI’s space-domain growth strategy aligned with industry funding priorities
- Build and manage a qualified pipeline across USSF, STARCOM, NASA, and key primes
- Conduct competitive positioning analysis and identify white-space opportunities
- Lead capture efforts from early shaping through contract award
- Influence requirements positioning and acquisition strategies
- Develop differentiated win strategies grounded in technical credibility
- Coordinate cross-functional proposal execution, including technical, management, and pricing volumes
- Coordinate internal solution architecture development to align CESI capabilities with targeted opportunities
- Organize and guide engineering teams to mature technical offerings in support of strategic BD objectives
- Identify capability gaps and drive focused internal R&D or skill development initiatives
- Translate market signals into actionable engineering development priorities
- Ensure technical roadmaps support long-term positioning within USSF and space-domain programs
- Cultivate relationships with government program managers, senior military officers, and industry partners
- Represent CESI at industry events, technical interchange meetings, and strategic conferences
- Establish partnerships that expand access to contract vehicles and prime pathways
- Leverage hands-on engineering experience across system design, integration, testing, and mission execution
- Translate complex system capabilities into clear value propositions
- Align CESI modeling & simulation capabilities with emerging mission needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
