Program Delivery and Business Development Manager

Overview

FLX Solutions is redefining how critical infrastructure is inspected and maintained using advanced robotic systems that enhance mission readiness and safety. Our patented FLX BOT solves one of the toughest challenges in maintenance: reaching the "last meter" in complex environments. It is a modular, collaborative, handheld articulating snake-like robotic platform, and is already in use in the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and shipbuilders with expanding applications in industrial, transit, and construction sectors.

The FLX BOT is 1" in diameter and can navigate confined or hazardous spaces on ships, bases, and aircraft. Its modular design includes interchangeable links with advanced cameras and sensors for obstacle avoidance, and its patented design offers greater articulation, lighter weight, and a smaller footprint than competing robots at a fraction of the cost. Operated by a single technician via handheld control or extension pole, it reduces labor and improves safety.

FLX Solutions has completed and launched pilots with the U.S. Air Force (D2P2 focused on aircraft wing fuel tank inspections at Robins AFB), U.S. Navy (corrosion assessment, 3D tank mapping), and a major DoD Prime. In paid Navy pilots, the FLX BOT reduced inspection times by up to 90% while eliminating the need for teardowns or confined space entry. FLX Solutions has 3 FLX BOTs deployed at the largest shipbuilder for the Navy, and a 1-year pilot with the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The Opportunity: FLX Solutions is at a key inflection point: we have several high-value programs underway and are looking for a proven leader who can secure new contracts and successfully deliver them to completion. Your mission: capitalize on our momentum and scale our success. The FLX BOT technology is already proven and the market is responding. We have a high-confidence pipeline of over $18M including an upcoming large pilot order from the Navy. And this is just the beginning. We are looking for a proven operator to take ownership of critical programs and business development efforts. This is an experienced player role, not a management-only position (yet). While this role has a clear path to building and leading a team as we grow, your initial focus will be on rolling up your sleeves and personally driving. You\'ll work at the intersection of business development, program management, and operations, with the autonomy to take a customer relationship from initial contact to successful program delivery. You will partner directly with the CEO on capture strategy and customer engagement, and with our technical teams to ensure what we sell is what we deliver. The role also involves jumping into whatever business operations tasks are needed to grow the company and complete projects ranging from negotiating a defense contract to refining internal processes, or jumping on a late-night call with a customer in the middle of a trial. We need someone who has been on the startup journey before and helped grow a hardware company from seed stage through commercialization and scale, and has experienced the problems we're solving first-hand.

What You'll Do

Business Development and Program Acquisition

• Identify, pursue, and close new contracts in defense and commercial markets, with an initial focus on high-potential opportunities already in the pipeline
  
• Work directly with the CEO on capture strategy, proposal development, and customer engagement
  
• Build trusted relationships with decision-makers at government agencies, prime contractors, and industrial partners
  
• Lead the proposal and capture process end-to-end: lead the preparation of proposals, RFP responses, and competitive bids from end-to-end: shaping requirements, identifying teaming opportunities, selecting acquisition pathways (BAAs, CSOs, IDIQs, etc.), and submitting winning proposals
  

Program Leadership and Delivery

• Serve as the Program Lead for our defense accounts, starting with the execution and multi-site deployment for the U.S. Navy and Air Force programs
  
• Act as the primary customer interface for dual-use programs, managing scope, schedule, and budget to ensure all commitments are met
  
• Partner with our hardware and software teams to manage technical requirements, identify risks, and guarantee what we sell is what we deliver
  

Operational Leadership

• Establish and refine program management processes that can scale with the company
  
• Track KPIs for program health, customer satisfaction, and revenue performance
  
• Take on diverse business operations tasks that support company growth and program success as an early member of a growing team
  

Strategic Contribution

• Work with leadership on market opportunities, partnerships, and program prioritization
  
• Represent FLX at customer sites, program reviews, trade shows, conferences, and industry networking events
  
• Identify new growth opportunities for business and technology expansion
  

You Are

• Experienced in both winning and managing complex programs in defense, aerospace, robotics, and/or other dual-use technology sectors
  
• Skilled at working at the intersection of business development, program management, and operations
  
• Deeply familiar with DoD procurement processes and effective at building strong customer relationships with government agencies, primes, and dual-use customers
  
• Comfortable in a startup environment, able to switch between high-level strategy and hands-on execution
  
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple high-value projects at the same time
  
• Understanding of the business constraints in early stage companies and able to work within them
  
• A startup veteran experienced in helping grow startups from seed stage to full commercialization and scaling operations
  

Qualifications
Required

• 5-8+ years in program management, business development, or operations in relevant industries
  
• Startup or scaling-company experience in hardware or robotics
  
• Proven ability to secure and deliver multi-million-dollar programs including DoD acquisition and contracting
  
• Established network in Navy, Air Force, shipbuilding, or major industrial maintenance programs
  
• U.S. citizenship (due to DoD requirements)
  
• Willingness to travel for customer meetings, pilots, and events
  
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
  
• Experience and proficiency with modern tools including AI tools, CRMs, and Project Management tools (e.g. ClickUp)
  

Preferred

• Firsthand DoD operational experience, particularly as a Veteran of the U.S. Navy or U.S. Air Force (e.g., Engineering Duty Officer)
  
• Have led/been involved in the successful fundraising of capital at an early stage dual-use startup
  
• Technical background
  
• PMP certification or equivalent project management experience
  

Company Core Values

• Do what you say, say what you do
  
• We all make mistakes; it is what we do afterwards that defines us
  
• Treat all with respect. Period.
  
• Leave a situation better than you found it
  
• Just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn't mean it has to be done that way in the future
  

Compensation and Location

• Salary: Competitive for an early-stage company, with significant performance-based increases tied directly to the programs you deliver and expand
  
• Equity: A meaningful, early-stage equity grant. You will be a critical part of our success, and your compensation will reflect that.
  
• Location: Remote-friendly. However, we have a strong preference for candidates in a key defense or technology hub (DC area, San Diego, Norfolk, Seattle, Bay Area, NYC) or near our Bethlehem, PA HQ, to enhance collaboration with our team and customers.
  
• Flexibility: Will adapt role and package for the right candidate
  

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