Location

Littleton, Colorado (on-site preferred) – Hybrid Flexible in Locations Relevant to Canopy Customers

Job Type

Full-Time (Salaried)

All-in comp of $250,000 - $350,000

Base $150,000 - $190,000

Performance incentive up to 75% of base

Company Overview

We imagine a future where freedom is secured by the rapid production of the highest-performing materials on Earth. At Canopy, we’re building digital factories to manufacture complex ceramic components in days—accelerating American innovation on Earth and beyond. We’re enabling the most challenging missions in the galaxy, including space re-entry, interplanetary travel, and hypersonic flight. Canopy’s core focus is on thermal management components made from technical ceramics engineered to survive extreme heat, corrosion, and the harshest environments known to man.

Position Overview

We're seeking a mission-driven leader to own and expand Canopy’s relationships across the U.S. Department of Defense and adjacent prime integrators. This person will focus on shaping new government programs, navigating the path from R&D to acquisition, and ensuring that our advanced materials find their way into real-world defense systems. You’ll work closely with lab-based researchers, acquisition officers, primes, and technical leads to align our product development roadmap with national security priorities. This is not a passive BD role—this is a front-line leadership position designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of technology, strategy, and impact.

Responsibilities

• Deeply understand our government partners’ missions—especially where next-gen functional materials can 10x performance across space, defense, and energy systems
• Build and deepen relationships with key stakeholders representing strategic weapon system development: AFRL branches, AFNWC, Global Strike Command, and other relevant orgs
• Shape new funding opportunities with DOD stakeholders that align with Canopy’s roadmap in thermal protection and high-temperature ceramics
• Partner with aerospace primes to align technical capabilities and support transition planning for emerging government needs
• Lead and support proposal efforts, including SBIR/STTR follow-ons, BAAs, CRADAs, and other programmatic engagements
• Act as a technical advisor and market translator, collaborating with internal teams to guide prioritization and respond to evolving DOD needs
• Stay involved post-award to ensure technical execution stays aligned with evolving mission priorities
• Represent Canopy at relevant conferences, demos, and program review meetings
• Grow a network of government stakeholders that’s unparalleled in the small business community
• Support other business functions as needed – we expect all leaders to do whatever it takes to accomplish our mission

Requirements – should meet most of these

• A strategic thinker who understands how technologies get adopted in the DoD—through labs, primes, and acquisition pathways
• Mission-first in mindset. You care about fielding meaningful capabilities—not just winning contracts
• Acquisition expert: clear understanding of how the government budgets, prioritizes, and contracts with industry
• Technical enough to explain material performance, system integration risks, and manufacturing limitations—and comfortable in rooms with both PhDs and program managers
• Energized by hard problems and long-cycle revenue generation — but still able to show urgency, close gaps, and move programs forward
• Experienced in writing and winning proposals, particularly within defense R&D and for subsystem-level innovations
• 7+ years of experience in government engagement, advanced R&D, or business development within defense, aerospace, or materials science domains
• Strong working knowledge of DOD S&T ecosystem—especially AFRL, AFNWC, and SBIR pathways
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to travel as needed to meet key stakeholders (likely 25%)
• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project milestones or operational needs - we’re a small team that works fast

Nice to have’s (but not required) - you should still apply even if you don’t have all of these

• Prior service in or direct experience with DoD program offices, especially in strategic systems, hypersonics, or materials
• Relationships with primes involved in thermal protection, missile systems, or hypersonics or other systems that integrate next-gen materials
• Familiarity with manufacturing scale-up for dual-use components
• Background in materials science, aerospace engineering, or adjacent technical field preferred
• Experience leading technical project teams
• Active US security clearance

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• FSA with company contribution
• Retirement Savings Plan – 5% matching 401(k)
• 100% Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage for employee and family
• Professional Stipend
• Health and Wellness Stipend

Actual level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis and could vary depending on education, job-related knowledge and skills, fit with the company, and experience.

Hiring Process

We strive to be transparent and equitable throughout our hiring process; we also will move quickly through the steps. Below is a description of our hiring process:

• Candidate submission of resume and portfolio materials
• 20-min administrative screening call
• 30-min role-specific call with hiring manager
• On-site, case-study interview
• 1:1s with key team members
• Final offer decision

Canopy Core Values

• Own Everything
• Cultivate Integrity
• Inquire Rigorously
• Practice Optimism
• Operate Decisively
   

Other Requirements

Travel required up to 50% of the time, expected travel 25%

This position requires the ability to obtain a government security clearance in the future; you must be a US Citizen for consideration. There is no requirement to be holding an active security clearance prior to employment.

Canopy Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Canopy Aerospace 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, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Other Notes

If you feel you’re qualified for the role, but don’t exactly meet the criteria - please apply! We value diversity and prioritize passion over perfectly polished skillsets.