Business Development Director

Business Development Director

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in landing gear, wheels & brakes, and associated systems for civil and military aircraft and helicopters. We master the entire lifecycle of our products, from design and manufacturing through to maintenance. Did you know that every second, somewhere in the world, an aircraft lands using one of our systems?

Would you like to grow in an international, stimulating and supportive environment within a human-sized company? Join us! Become one of our 8,000 passionate employees worldwide.

Don't meet 100% of the requirements? That's not a barrier for us. Above all, we're looking for creative and committed people!

Reference number

2026-191850

Job details

Domain

Programs / Customer Relations

Job field / Job profile

Sales / marketing - Sales

Job title

Business Development Director

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

HERE, WE CRAFT EXCELLENCE TOGETHER. At Safran, we believe in sustainable career journeys, collaboration as a cornerstone of innovation, and the freedom to explore diverse career paths. As a Business Development Director, you'll contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of aerospace.

Candidates for positions with Safran Landing Systems must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification will be required at the time of hire.

This position contributes to our vision by being responsible for defining and executing Safran Landing Systems' business development strategy across North America, with a focus on US military and strategic OEM opportunities. The role builds and sustains senior customer relationships, anticipates and shapes future requirements, and leads capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission, in close coordination with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T and Safran group stakeholders. The position also drives collaboration frameworks (including funded and collaborative R&T agreements) and market/competitor intelligence to ensure Safran Landing Systems is positioned early and credibly on next generation platforms and programs.

What we offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Paid holidays
• Recognition programs
• Comprehensive benefits
• Retirement (401K) plans with employer match
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Over 300 career paths across global sites

Work Culture:

At Safran, we foster a respectful and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. We support sustainable career journeys and encourage employees to explore multiple paths for growth. Collaboration is essential to our success, and we are committed to helping every team member thrive. We engage with our communities through educational programs, outreach initiatives, and career events, inspiring future talent to join our mission.

Join Safran Landing Systems, where you can look to the skies and say “we did that.”

Safran Landing Systems is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. For verification or accommodation requests, please email Jeremy.dees@safrangroup.com or call 859-817-2910. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Shape the future of aerospace with Safran Landing Systems as Business Development Director, based in Seattle and reporting to the EVP Customer and Strategy Directorate.

Define and execute our North American business development strategy, with a focus on Boeing Commercial and strategic OEM opportunities. Build senior customer relationships, anticipate future requirements and lead selected capture and bid activities from opportunity identification through submission.

Work with Sales, Programs, Engineering/R&T, sites and Safran group teams to position our technologies on next-generation platforms, including Boeing's next single-aisle program. Support Boeing Defense engagement and the US military roadmap in line with Safran Landing Systems' sovereignty strategy.

Develop strategic partnerships, negotiate collaborative research agreements and coordinate funding opportunities. Turn market and competitor intelligence into capture strategies, and support divisions on program and customer operational matters as needed.

Travel within North America and occasional travel to Europe are required.

Candidate skills & requirements

Essential

• Proven senior business development and capture experience in aerospace and/or defence, including ownership of pursuit strategy and bid submissions.
• Ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships with OEM and/or military customers and influence requirements early.
• Strong negotiation, pricing and financial acumen, with experience shaping deal terms alongside Sales, Commercial and Legal teams.
• Bid and proposal leadership, coordinating Sales, Programmes, Engineering, Research & Technology (R&T), operations and sites to meet quality and schedule requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to brief senior leadership and align global and divisional priorities.
• Willingness to travel within North America and occasionally to Europe.

Desirable

• Experience with US defence acquisition, US Department of Defense customers, prime contractors and associated proposal practices.
• Knowledge of landing gear or adjacent aerospace systems, with the ability to translate technical solutions into customer value.
• Experience establishing collaborative R&T programmes and/or negotiating collaborative research agreements.
• Market intelligence and competitor analysis experience, translating trends into actionable capture plans.
• Eligibility to access controlled programs and customer sites, including export compliance and/or security clearance readiness where applicable.

Annual salary

To be confirmed

Job location

Job location

North America, United States, Washington, Seattle/Sterling

City (-ies)

Seattle

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 5 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

No