Business Development Engineering Lead at Luna Labs USA LLC

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Jul, 26

Salary

90000.0

Posted On

23 Apr, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Materials Science, Business Development, Product Development, Technical Reporting, Relationship Management, Prototyping, Pilot-scale Production, Commercialization Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Technical Communication, Market Analysis, Nanomaterials, Polymer Composites, Coatings, Adhesives

Industry

Defense and Space Manufacturing

Description

Business Development Engineering Lead About Luna Labs Luna Labs is a product development company working with leading organizations and key government agencies to create unique solutions for complex challenges in defense, industrial, and healthcare markets. We operate like a self-contained incubator for defense and biotech startups, taking solutions from concept through development to new products in the market. We leverage small business agility and large business capabilities to accelerate breakthrough solutions from concept to early-stage growth. Working with a robust global network of manufacturers, suppliers, licensees, and distributors, Luna Labs develops everything from small-scale prototypes to market-ready products. The Opportunity We are seeking a technical and motivated Business Development Engineering Lead committed to advancing the development and commercialization of innovative materials-based products for the civilian and military markets. This is an opportunity to combine your love of technology and business while working at a research company focused on product development. As a Business Development Engineering Lead, you will support the commercialization of emerging R&D prototypes and well-developed materials-based technologies. Working under the direction of Principal Investigators and senior leadership, you will bridge Business Development and research teams to identify customer needs, contribute to commercialization strategies, and help implement pathways to bring products to market. What You’ll Do Business Development * Work with engineers and product developers to understand the technology portfolio, identify mature technologies, and find market-relevant product-solution fit for customer needs * Identify and analyze design, testing, and/or process development requirements to meet customer needs * Support business development efforts by identifying new opportunities and expanding existing partnerships * Contribute to the development of go-to-market strategies for target markets, including channel considerations, pricing expectations, and customer profiles * Gather customer requirements and feedback through networking, cold calls, customer interviews, demos, and other outreach activities * Partner with R&D to help shape and maintain product and technology roadmaps * Develop and present clear and concise technical reports, one-pagers highlighting key features or capabilities, and product performance reviews for business and technical internal/external stakeholders * Provide technical support to commercialize Materials R&D technologies into product concepts, prototypes, pilot scale production, and manufacturing * Help track and calibrate progress against commercialization goals within established timelines and budgets Relationship Management * Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government contracts, partners, and customers – well before formal opportunities arise * Understand organizational dynamics, budget pressures, and decision-making processes within target agencies and markets * Represent Luna Labs at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings. * Support scientists and engineers in stakeholder engagement, helping to position their technologies for customer and market adoption What We're Looking For We need someone who thrives at the intersection of technology and business development — equally comfortable in a lab coat and a customer meeting. You know how to translate technical capability into something a non-technical stakeholder can get excited about, and you understand that bringing a new material or technology to market is rarely a straight line. You're a natural connector who can build relationships with scientists and engineers on one side and customers, partners, and end users on the other, all while proactively gathering feedback, identifying gaps, and bringing ideas to the table. You're organized and detail-oriented enough to support proposal preparation and technical reporting, but you also keep one eye on the bigger picture — understanding where a technology fits in the market, who the competitors are, and what it will take to move a product into commercialization. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry or a related technical field required; a degree in Business Administration (or related field) is a plus * Minimum 3 years of experience in the materials science industry including hands-on experience with early-stage prototyping, pilot-scale production, and/or product development * Demonstrated experience transitioning technologies out of the lab into products or commercial applications * Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: * Coatings, adhesives, sealants, or elastomers * Nanomaterials * Polymer composites * Ability to read, interpret, and communicate technical data and reports to both technical and non-technical audiences * Strong verbal and written communication skills, including technical reporting, structuring business documents, and presentations * Strong relationship-building skills across diverse internal and external stakeholders * Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously * Experience working with government or military customers is a plus * Due to government contracting regulations, U.S. Citizenship is a firm requirement * Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance Work Environment: * Duties may occasionally be completed remotely using secure company equipment and software, at the supervisor's discretion. * Periodic travel to client sites, conferences, and related events is required. * The role involves working in a laboratory environment and interacting with technical staff.

Responsibilities

The Business Development Engineering Lead will bridge research and business teams to identify market needs and implement commercialization strategies for materials-based technologies. They will manage stakeholder relationships and provide technical support to transition R&D prototypes into market-ready products.