Business Development Manager, Maritime

About Primordial Labs

We're building the next generation interface for commanding autonomous systems in the real world. Our core product, Anura, translates spoken or typed intent into structured actions across drones, sensors, and mission software—enabling faster, more intuitive control in high-stakes environments. We’re a distributed team of engineers, operators, and technologists focused on deploying reliable autonomy at the tactical edge.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a business development lead to build our maritime business from the ground up. The Navy and Coast Guard are fielding uncrewed surface and undersea vessels faster than ever, and the crews and watch standers who run them are going to be managing more of them at once. This role covers surface, undersea, and expeditionary maritime missions, working with programs within the relevant Navy PAE portfolios, fleet experimentation units, and the maritime autonomy companies building the vessels.

What You'll Do

Strategy, Capture, and Pipeline Ownership

• Build and execute the maritime go-to-market, and own the maritime pipeline and forecast.

• Own the full capture lifecycle for maritime opportunities, from shaping through proposal and award.

• Build and run capture plans, including win strategy, competitive assessment, teaming, and pricing.

• Position for fleet experimentation, rapid prototyping, and transition funding tied to uncrewed maritime systems.

Partner and OEM Development

• Build relationships with USV and UUV builders, maritime autonomy providers, and combat system integrators.

• Structure integration, teaming, and licensing agreements.

• Get Anura into partner demos, bids, and fleet events.

Customer Engagement and Shaping

• Build relationships across Navy maritime program offices, OPNAV and fleet staffs, warfare centers, fleet experimentation squadrons, and the Coast Guard where it fits.

• Engage sailors and operators running uncrewed vessels to understand control station workload and tasking needs.

• Plan and support at-sea demos, fleet experiments, and exercises.

• Represent Primordial Labs at maritime industry events and symposia.

Market and Competitive Intelligence

• Track Navy maritime budget lines, force structure plans, and solicitations.

• Monitor competitors and partners in maritime autonomy.

• Identify adjacencies in allied navies, port security, and commercial maritime.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with engineering on maritime integration priorities and protocols.

• Coordinate with the Naval Aviation, C2, and SOCOM leads where maritime work overlaps.

• Lead or support proposal writing and partner coordination

About You

Experience

• 4+ years in business development, capture, or government sales

• Direct experience with Navy surface, undersea, or expeditionary customers and naval acquisition processes.

• Demonstrated success owning and winning opportunities across the full capture lifecycle.

• Established relationships across Navy program offices, fleet staffs, warfare centers, or maritime industry.

• Prior Navy or Coast Guard service, especially surface warfare, submarine, or expeditionary, is a major plus.

Skills

• Strong understanding of acquisition pathways and contract vehicles.

• Strong writing and briefing skills, including to flag officers and senior civilians.

• Comfortable building a portfolio from scratch with little structure.

• Comfortable in CRM platforms and Microsoft Office.

• Works with autonomy and ownership in a small, fast team.

Security Clearance

• Active U.S. security clearance preferred; ability to obtain and maintain one required.

Desirable Qualities

• Familiarity with maritime autonomy, uncrewed vessel operations, and human-machine teaming.

• Experience capturing USV, UUV, or shipboard systems programs.

• Experience with fleet experimentation or at-sea testing.

• Prior startup or early-stage defense tech experience.

Important Qualification Note: Due to the nature of our work and federal compliance requirements, this position strictly requires U.S. Citizenship and current residency within the United States. Please note that Permanent Residency (Green Card status) or visa sponsorship cannot satisfy these specific regulatory requirements.

Compensation & Travel

• Travel up to 50%.

• Compensation for this position includes a target base salary of $145,000 - $190,000 annually, plus incentives and equity, with the final offer determined by the candidate's experience level.

We’re committed to fair and equitable compensation and are happy to explain how we determine our salary ranges, just ask!

Our Benefits

• Beyond a Competitive Salary, we provide a significant equity stake, aligning your growth with ours.

• 100% Remote: This role is fully remote, open to residents across the US. We believe that talent knows no borders (well, except for the US in this case!).

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: We provide comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans so you and your family can stay healthy and worry free.

• Retirement Planning: Plan for tomorrow with our 401(k) package, complete with a generous 6% company match.

• Generous DTO: Our generous Discretionary Time off (DTO) policy is all about helping you take the breaks you deserve and live your healthiest, most fulfilling life.

• Elite Technology Package: Enjoy an elite technology package to make your work effortless and efficient.

Our Interview Process

Our interview process is designed to be thorough and respectful of your time. It typically includes:

1. Conversation with the People Team: Lets get to know one another first!

2. Manager Conversation: A chat with the hiring manager to discuss responsibilities, team dynamics, and your relevant experience.

3. Team & Process Deep Dive: A 60 minute discussion with cross-functional team members currently supporting our BD efforts. You'll learn about our day to day operations, and we'll discuss your past experience.

4. Strategy Discussion: A 45 minute conversation with our Director of Strategy to align on our growth objectives, market opportunities, and long term vision.

5. Q&A with our CEO: Final call with our CEO to discuss company culture and get all of your lingering questions answered.

We are committed to a low-stress interview experience. No trick questions or brain teasers!

Primordial Labs is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone. Discrimination and harassment have no place here. We firmly believe that a diverse team enriches our problem-solving capabilities, sparks greater creativity, and ultimately leads to a better product and a more vibrant company.

We understand that great talent comes from various paths and that passion and transferable skills are invaluable. At Primordial Labs, what truly matters is your ability to make an impact, your dedication to our mission, and your capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative atmosphere. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where you can contribute your unique talents, expand your skills, and learn continuously. If you’re driven to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification.