Overview
Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
Responsibilities
We are seeking an experienced and driven Business Development Manager to spearhead our growth in the European Aerospace & Defense sector, with a primary focus on Germany. This role is pivotal to our European expansion strategy — blending market development, strategic partnerships, and deep industry insight to position our company as a trusted partner for defense and aerospace innovation.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the European defense ecosystem, a track record of building government and industry relationships, and the ability to navigate complex multi-country business environments.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and Execute European Growth Strategies
* Create and implement business plans that drive revenue and market share expansion across Germany and Europe.
* Define regional go-to-market strategies aligned with company objectives and European defense priorities.
Forge Strategic Partnerships
* Identify and cultivate strategic alliances with aerospace and defense primes, OEMs, system integrators, and government organizations across Europe.
* Strengthen our ecosystem through joint initiatives and co-development opportunities.
Market Intelligence & Strategic Direction
* Conduct comprehensive market and competitive analyses to identify emerging trends, technologies, and procurement opportunities in European defense programs.
* Provide actionable insights to shape strategic investments and long-term positioning.
Stakeholder & Government Engagement
* Build strong relationships with government agencies, defense ministries, and European institutions (e.g., EDA, NATO-affiliated bodies).
* Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders — R&D Centers of Excellence, regional business leaders, and technical teams — to ensure unified strategic execution.
Sales Alignment & Business Development Execution
* Partner with the European sales organization to ensure alignment between business development strategies and regional sales goals.
* Support forecasting, opportunity management, and funnel development to drive sustainable order growth.
Customer & Partner Relationship Management
* Act as a trusted advisor to key customers and partners, ensuring alignment between their mission objectives and our technology solutions.
* Oversee customer satisfaction, issue resolution, and long-term engagement.
Forecasting & Reporting
* Lead the annual and quarterly business planning process, maintaining visibility into the regional opportunity pipeline.
* Provide data-driven forecasts and performance updates to senior management.
Qualifications
Education:
* Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (MSEE or MSCS required).
* MBA or equivalent business qualification is a strong plus.
Experience & Skills:
* 5+ years of business development or sales experience within the Aerospace & Defense industry, ideally in the European or German markets.
* Proven record of success navigating government procurement and defense acquisition cycles.
* Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and influence decision-makers across Europe.
* Strong understanding of European defense initiatives, funding programs, and industry frameworks.
* Excellent strategic planning, proposal writing, and presentation capabilities.
* Experience managing and representing companies at industry trade shows, conferences, and public forums.
* Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and align technical and commercial priorities.
* Strong analytical and communication skills, with fluency in English; German proficiency is a must, and other European languages are a plus.
Personal Attributes
* Hunter mindset – relentlessly pursues new opportunities and thrives in identifying and securing new business.
* Customer-centric – passionate about understanding and addressing customer needs.
* Action-oriented and resilient – committed to results with a hands-on, can-do attitude.
* Strategic thinker and problem solver – comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity.
* Adaptable and agile – capable of adjusting strategy based on evolving
Careers Privacy Statement
***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***