Business Development - UAS (Flight Control & Autonomy)

Systems Technology Inc. (STI) is a private, 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering consulting and product development company with a 60+ year legacy of delivering safety critical solutions to government and commercial customers. We combine the agility and culture of a startup with the stability and credibility of a longstanding aerospace innovator. Our growth plans are ambitious, and every employee plays a direct role in shaping our future.

At STI, we look for true business partners—people who value transparency, collaboration, technical excellence, ownership, and accountability. If you enjoy solving complex, real-world problems and want your work to have visible impact, you will thrive here.

What You'll Do

We are seeking a Business Development – UAS leader to drive growth specifically in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with a focus on flight control systems, autopilots, guidance, navigation, and autonomy-enabled products. This role is not a general aerospace business development position—it is tightly focused on building funded development programs and scalable commercial products around STI’s core flight control and autonomy capabilities. We expect this role to include a significant amount of government relations. Candidates with a strong background in government interactions are strongly preferred.

Success in this role is defined by the ability to convert early technical engagements and SBIR-funded efforts into sustained government and commercial programs, including Phase III contracts, follow-on development, and productized offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new UAS business centered on flight control, autopilot, and autonomy software and hardware development.
• Lead the transition of existing SBIR/STTR-funded autonomy and flight control technologies into Phase III and non-SBIR contract vehicles, including sole-source awards, IDIQs, OTAs, BOAs, and FAR-based contracts.
• Identify and pursue commercial product, licensing, and recurring revenue opportunities for UAS flight control and autonomy solutions.
• Identify key strategic and ecosystem partners to facilitate our go-to-market strategy.
• Shape customer requirements and concepts of operations into executable development programs and product roadmaps.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining sales pipeline for products and service offerings relating to flight control and autonomy solutions, demonstrating pipeline growth and conversions.
• Build and maintain relationships with DoD program offices, autonomy leads, primes, integrators, and commercial UAS manufacturers.
• Lead capture activities, including solution shaping, teaming strategy, pricing inputs, and proposal development.
• Partner closely with STI technical leadership to ensure development efforts are aligned with productization, scalability, and long-term reuse.
• Represent STI at UAS-focused conferences, industry days, and technical forums.

What you Need

• 5+ years of business development, capture, or program growth experience in UAS, defense, or aerospace markets.
• Existing contacts and relationships with government staff including program officers who can engage with STI on R&D and technology transfer projects.
• Demonstrated success transitioning early-stage development efforts (including SBIR/STTR) into Phase III, follow-on, or non-SBIR contract vehicles.
• Proven ability to drive funded development programs and commercial product opportunities through customer engagement, capture strategy, and contracting execution.
• Strong customer-facing skills, including executive-level briefings, relationship management, and negotiation.
• Experience working with DoD program offices, primes, integrators, and/or commercial UAS manufacturers.
• Ability to partner effectively with highly technical engineering teams without requiring hands-on technical expertise.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Active Secret security clearance (minimum).

Bonus Qualifications

• Pilot, instructor, or operational aviation experience.
• Experience in UAS, optionally piloted vehicles, eVTOL, AAM, or UAM markets.
• Experience working with small, growth‑oriented, employee‑owned companies.
• Desire to contribute directly to aggressive growth targets and long‑term company value creation.

Compensation And Benefits

Systems Technology Inc. offers all employees competitive pay along with a benefits package encompassing the following and more:

STI offers a competitive, performance-aligned total rewards package designed to drive long-term growth and accountability:

• Base Salary: $145,000 – $175,000 (negotiable based on experience)
• Variable Compensation: Performance-based incentives and/or commission tied directly to transitioned non-SBIR government contracts (e.g., Phase III, IDIQ task orders, sole-source awards) and commercial UAS product revenue. SBIR Phase I/II awards alone are not considered success metrics.
• Total On-Target Earnings (OTE): $180,000 – $230,000+, with upside driven by transitioned revenue and product commercialization.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) Safe Harbor plan with company contribution
• Medical (HMO – 100% company paid for employees and dependents)
• Dental and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care
• Life and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness reimbursement and technology stipends
• Tuition assistance programs
• Year-round company-sponsored events and recognition programs

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

It is expected that this position will include domestic travel up to 30% and possible international travel. If this position is filled by a fully remote employee, proposed travel will include regular visits to the STI main facility located in Hawthorne, CA.

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations (ITAR and EAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Therefore, candidates will need to qualify as a US Person which is defined as a US Citizen, a Permanent Resident who does not work for a foreign company/foreign government/foreign governmental agency or organization, or a political asylee in compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations and DOD requirements.

At Systems Technology Inc. (STI) we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possesses the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $145,000 – $175,000 negotiable. Our compensation packages will also include a sales commission, performance bonus, ESOP (Employee owned company) and 401k contribution. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

STI is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.