Business Development Director- Defense & Government

Business Development Director – Defense & Government Location: U.S. based role with travel to Austin, Texas headquarters as needed Department: Business Development Reports to: VP of Business Development Type: Full-Time About HydroGraph HydroGraph is a hyper-growth advanced materials company scaling pristine, high-performance graphene via its patented Hyperion detonation technology. With more than 70 active commercial projects, a growing global footprint, and industry-leading material quality (99.8% pure graphene), HydroGraph is building the next generation of engineered materials for coatings, composites, and energy storage. Our new Austin HQ will serve as the flagship center for innovation, applied R&D, customer engagement, and rapid material development. Role Overview Business Development Director to lead HydroGraph's growth across DoD agencies and federal partners. This role combines market strategy, sales leadership, and technical understanding to identify revenue opportunities, secure customers and partnerships, and expand HydroGraph's footprint in U.S. defense and government programs. Key Responsibilities Supports VP of Business Development in Design and implementation of the defense and government business development strategy aligned with global corporate goals Identify and evaluate new markets for graphene and nanomaterials tailored to defense and government industry needs Build and maintain relationships with customers, distributors, research centres, and industry partners Drive the complete sales cycle from lead generation and technical qualification to proposal development and closure Work cross-functionally with R&D, product development, marketing, and manufacturing to deliver customer-aligned solutions Track industry trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments to inform strategic decisions Represent HydroGraph at industry events, conferences, and trade shows Lead strategic business development and sales activities across DoD agencies and federal partners Develop and execute market entry strategies for new territories and applications Build and manage high-value customer and partner relationships Coordinate technical sales support and collaborate with internal teams to deliver solutions Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Business, or related field required; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred 10+ years proven experience in business development or strategic sales in advanced materials, chemicals, or industrial sectors Demonstrated track record of revenue generation and market development with DoD agencies, defense labs, and prime contractors Experience with technical sales involving materials science or nanotechnology applications Strong technical comprehension of materials science and advanced manufacturing technologies Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills Ability to translate complex technical value propositions into commercial success Ability to develop comprehensive sales plans and go-to-market strategies Capability in identifying and evaluating market opportunities across diverse industries for new technologies Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) Self-motivated with ability to work independently Good organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a U.S. Government security clearance Experience operating in regulated, security-sensitive environments Preferred Experience Active Top Secret clearance Experience with advanced materials, composites, nanomaterials, clean energy, or dual-use technologies Prior military service or DoD civilian experience Experience transitioning technologies from R&D into operational defense programs Established network within the U.S. defense or government procurement ecosystem Work Environment U.S.-based role (role is based in Austin, Texas, and requires regular in-person collaboration). Ability to travel 30–50% as required Attendance at trade shows, conferences, and customer sites required Why Join HydroGraph Help scale one of the world’s highest-purity graphene platforms into defense and industrial markets Work at the intersection of advanced materials, clean power, and national security Partner with leading OEMs, government agencies, and global advisors Competitive compensation, equity participation, and meaningful growth opportunity as the company scales