Job detail for Principal Business Development Lead (Unmanned Systems)

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Principal Business Development Lead (Unmanned Systems)

Job Location: Europe

Job Description:

The Business Development Lead for Unmanned Systems is responsible for identifying, developing, and growing strategic business opportunities in the field of unmanned systems (UAV/UAS, UGV, USV, and other UxS platforms) as well as Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UAS) within the Mission Critical Communications (MCC) sector.

This role combines technical expertise, customer engagement, and the building of strategic relationships to drive the adoption and integration of company products and technologies with leading manufacturers and platforms for unmanned systems. The successful candidate will help shape customer requirements, expand integrations with leading UxS partners, and support innovations aligned with changing market needs.

Main Tasks

• Build, maintain, and further develop relationships with key international customers, platform providers, and other strategic business partners.
• Capture and translate customer requirements into actionable insights to support integration and differentiation strategies.
• Drive customer demand and product adoption through continuous customer interaction, solution development, and value-based communication.
• Develop and expand relationships with leading UxS platform manufacturers and their technical leadership teams.
• Build and maintain a sound understanding of the C-UAS market, relevant technologies, as well as partners and competitors.
• Drive the integration of products into strategically important unmanned platforms and future technologies.
• Work closely with internal engineering and product teams to support platform certifications, integration cycles, and joint development projects.
• Create added value for international customers by expanding the partner ecosystem.
• Provide input for internal product roadmaps based on manufacturer requirements, market trends, and integration opportunities.
• Support continuous innovation by identifying new unmanned capabilities, payload requirements, and accessory opportunities.
• Monitor current developments in the field of unmanned systems to support fast and competitive product and technology decisions.
• Ensure the achievement of business goals and objectives of the Annual Operating Plan.
• Perform a leadership role with direct and cross-functional responsibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 12 years of relevant professional experience, or
• Master's degree or equivalent advanced academic degree and at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Alternatively, at least 16 years of relevant professional experience without a university degree.
• Experience in the unmanned systems industry, including knowledge of UxS platforms, payloads, sensors, and integration processes.
• Proven experience in developing international business opportunities outside the USA, particularly in a B2B environment (prime contractors, start-ups, and comparable customers).
• Strong customer orientation with experience in building relationships, capturing requirements, and positioning technical solutions.
• Proven experience in Business-to-Business (B2B) as well as in developing strategic partnerships.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 50%, including travel to the USA.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience working with international militaries, government agencies, or international defense markets.
• Established network within the manufacturing ecosystem for unmanned systems.
• Experience integrating hardware, sensor, or communication technologies onto UxS platforms.
• Experience with C-UAS technologies, relevant markets, and companies.
• NATO Secret clearance preferred.

Important Notes

Due to the nature of our work, many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirements for employment in Germany and must meet the requirements for access to security-relevant or classified information. Furthermore, the hiring process is subject to corresponding government security checks.