[Hiring] Senior Director Business Development @SkyWater Technology Foundry, Inc.

Role Description

The Senior Director, Quantum Foundry Business is the commercial leader responsible for defining and executing SkyWater's Quantum Foundry growth strategy. This role drives customer acquisition, strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, bookings, and revenue growth across both custom quantum technology development programs and platform-based foundry offerings. Working closely with Business Unit leadership, Technology Platform Architects, Platform Management, Sales, and Technology Development teams, the Senior Director translates market opportunities and customer needs into long-term business growth while positioning SkyWater as the premier U.S.-based quantum foundry partner. This role combines market leadership, strategic customer engagement, and business development expertise to accelerate adoption of SkyWater's quantum technologies and manufacturing platforms.

Major Areas of Accountability

• Quantum Foundry Business Growth
  • Develop and execute the strategic growth plan for SkyWater's Quantum Foundry business.
  • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of commercial, government, and strategic opportunities.
  • Achieve annual bookings, revenue growth, and customer acquisition objectives.
  • Lead development of account strategies for key quantum, photonics, superconducting electronics, and advanced technology customers.
• Customer Acquisition & Strategic Partnerships
  • Serve as the executive commercial lead for new customer pursuits.
  • Develop relationships with executive decision-makers, investors, national laboratories, government agencies, universities, and ecosystem partners.
  • Position SkyWater as a strategic innovation partner rather than a transactional supplier.
  • Establish strategic alliances that accelerate customer acquisition and platform adoption.
• Market Development & Commercial Strategy
  • Define target markets, growth priorities, and customer segments for the Quantum Foundry business.
  • Provide market insights and customer requirements that influence platform investment decisions and roadmaps.
  • Assess competitive positioning, market trends, funding opportunities, and emerging customer requirements.
  • Identify opportunities for expansion into adjacent quantum and advanced technology markets.
• Opportunity Development & Capture
  • Lead pursuit strategies for major customer programs and strategic technology initiatives.
  • Drive proposal strategy, commercial positioning, pricing approaches, and negotiation plans.
  • Collaborate with Technology Development, Platform Management, Solutions Engineering, and Sales teams to develop compelling customer proposals.
  • Support government proposal activities and customer-funded development opportunities.
• Executive Sponsorship & Ecosystem Leadership
  • Act as executive sponsor for strategic customer accounts.
  • Represent SkyWater at conferences, industry events, consortiums, and customer executive meetings.
  • Expand SkyWater's leadership position within the U.S. quantum ecosystem.
  • Drive long-term relationships with government, commercial, and academic stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Education: BS required; Engineering, Physics, Business, Materials Science, or related discipline
• Experience:
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in business development, strategic sales, technology commercialization, product management, or semiconductor industry leadership.
  • 10+ years of experience in semiconductor foundry manufacturing, quantum technologies, photonics, superconducting electronics, advanced packaging, or adjacent advanced technology markets.
  • Demonstrated success developing and closing complex multi-million-dollar customer engagements.
  • Proven experience building strategic partnerships and market ecosystems.
• Skills:
  • Established relationships within the quantum technology community.
  • Demonstrated impact on revenue growth, bookings performance, and business expansion.
  • Strong executive presence with ability to influence C-suite, government, and investor stakeholders.
  • Ability to translate complex technical capabilities into compelling business value propositions.
  • Strong negotiation, strategic planning, and customer relationship management skills.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Strong financial acumen and business case development capabilities.

Requirements

• Travel Requirements: 25-40%.
• This role can be a remote position.
• U.S. Person Required: This position requires compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All accepted applicants must be U.S. Persons. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Desired Qualifications

• Education: MBA or advanced technical degree
• Experience:
  • Direct experience within quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum sensing, superconducting electronics, photonics, or advanced semiconductor technologies.
  • Government contracting, DoD, DOE, DARPA, NSF, or National Laboratory engagement experience.
  • Experience launching or scaling new technology businesses.
  • Experience managing strategic partnerships and ecosystem development initiatives.
• Skills:
  • Executive-level presentation and communication experience.
  • Track record of influencing technology roadmaps through market and customer insight.
  • Experience supporting platform commercialization and go-to-market initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and opportunity to participate in incentive plans.
• 401k match and life insurance.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Medical, dental, mental health benefits.
  • Vision, legal planning.
  • Short- and long-term disability.
  • Paid time off and paid holidays.
  • On-site fitness facility and self-serve market.