Growth Lead, Maritime

Canopy Aerospace & Defense manufactures and delivers highly specialized materials with exceptional insulative, absorptive, and signal reducing characteristics to the space and defense markets. The Company assists OEMs from the initial design phase with R&D material and system engineering services to turnkey manufacturing through refurbishment services on reusable platforms.

Canopy A&D is seeking a Growth Lead – Maritime to drive top-line growth across naval and commercial maritime markets, including surface vessels, submarines, unmanned maritime systems, shipbuilders, and maritime defense integrators.

The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with maritime acquisition environments, shipbuilding ecosystems, and naval requirements development — and can credibly guide internal engineering teams in developing differentiated prototypes that resonate with maritime customers.

·         Own business development strategy and execution across U.S. Navy, maritime defense agencies, shipbuilders, and commercial maritime OEMs

·         Identify, qualify, and mature opportunities from early concept development through contract award

·         Lead capture planning and win strategies for high-visibility naval and maritime programs

·         Drive measurable top-line growth aligned with company revenue targets

·         Shape early-stage opportunities by influencing requirements, specifications, and technical approaches

·         Serve as the primary external representative of Canopy A&D within the maritime ecosystem

·         Build and maintain senior-level relationships across naval program offices, shipyards, primes, system integrators, and Tier 1 suppliers

·         Leverage deep understanding of ship design cycles, naval architecture considerations, survivability standards, and maritime qualification processes

·         Represent the company at maritime defense conferences, shipbuilding forums, and industry working groups

·         Translate operational maritime challenges (thermal management, acoustic signature reduction, survivability, corrosion, weight optimization, etc.) into actionable internal pursuits

·         Be a subject matter expert on maritime platform requirements and operational constraints

·         Work closely with engineering teams to define prototype concepts aligned to naval and maritime needs

·         Guide internal R&D priorities based on emerging maritime modernization initiatives

·         Ensure solutions are compliant with naval standards, MIL-SPEC requirements, and maritime certification pathways

·         Lead or support RFP/RFI responses, white papers, technical concept briefs, and unsolicited proposals

·         Coordinate with engineering, operations, and leadership to develop compelling technical narratives

·         Ensure proposals are compliant, competitive, and aligned with capture strategies

·         Support pricing strategies aligned with shipbuilding and defense contracting models

·         Monitor maritime modernization initiatives, shipbuilding programs, and emerging unmanned maritime systems

·         Provide leadership with insights on competitive positioning, partnerships, and investment priorities

·         Identify adjacent maritime applications for Canopy’s advanced materials technologies

·         Bachelor’s degree in engineering, naval architecture, business, or related field

·         8–15+ years of experience in maritime defense, naval programs, shipbuilding, or maritime systems business development

·         Demonstrated success personally driving top-line revenue capture in naval or maritime programs, particularly in new programs or through R&D funding

·         Deep understanding of U.S. Navy acquisition processes and maritime procurement environments

·         Experience influencing early-stage requirements or shaping programs prior to formal RFP release

·         Credibility engaging technical, programmatic, and executive stakeholders

·         Ability to translate operational maritime requirements into engineering direction

·         Master’s degree in engineering, naval architecture, or business

·         Existing relationships with naval program offices, shipbuilders, maritime primes, or defense integrators

·         Experience supporting prototype development, technology insertion, or material qualification in maritime environments

·         Familiarity with survivability standards, acoustic management, thermal management, or advanced materials integration for maritime platforms

·         Exposure to both defense and commercial maritime sectors

Type: Full Time, Exempt

Business Hours: Core business hours and additional hours as needed

Base Salary Range: $120,000 – $170,000

Base Location: Littleton, CO; Ontario, CA; or Washington, D.C.

Travel: 25–50%

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on experience, knowledge, and demonstrated capture performance.

Compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package including:

·         Company-paid employee medical, dental, and vision insurance

·         Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)

·         Paid Sick Leave

·         Paid Vacation

·         Paid Holidays

·         Discretionary performance bonuses

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be:

(i) U.S. Citizen,

(ii) lawful permanent resident (green card holder),

(iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or

(iv) eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by legally protected status.