Director, Business Development – Automotive

About Machina Labs:

Engineering moves at software speed. Manufacturing doesn't. Yet.

Machina Labs is changing that. We build intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years.

Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, we're building the manufacturing infrastructure that defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs will run on.

If you want to work on hard problems that matter and see them fly, drive, and defend, this is the place.

The Opportunity:

Automotive innovation moves fast. But bringing new designs to life isn't always as simple. Traditional tooling and production methods, optimized for high volumes, can introduce significant cost, lead time, and complexity when developing prototypes, iterating on designs, or producing specialized vehicles and components.

We're building a different way forward.

As we launch our dedicated automotive business, we're looking for our first Business Development leader to turn breakthrough manufacturing capabilities into meaningful commercial growth.

This is a unique opportunity to get in early, take ownership of new business development, and help establish our presence in the OE, Specialist & Aftermarket market. You'll open new opportunities with OE’s, specialty vehicle manufacturers, performance brands, aftermarket businesses, and other customers seeking flexible, low-mid volume manufacturing without the constraints of traditional tooling.

You'll work closely with business leadership to bring our Automotive commercial strategy to life, built on the Automotive work and programs done to date by Machina, identifying high-value opportunities, opening doors with key customers, and turning technical conversations into long-term production partnerships.

As the first dedicated BD hire in this vertical, you'll have the autonomy to own your pipeline, shape customer engagement, and influence how we approach the market. You'll work directly with the engineers and manufacturing teams bringing our technology to life, connecting innovative capabilities with real customer needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive commercial growth: Execute our automotive go-to-market strategy, developing new business across the OE, Specialist & Aftermarket segment and building a strong pipeline of high-value opportunities.
• Open new customer relationships: Identify, engage, and win customers across specialty vehicle manufacturing, performance automotive, aftermarket, and related markets, establishing relationships with key technical and commercial decision-makers.
• Lead complex commercial opportunities: Own the business development process from initial engagement and technical discovery through proposals, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Translate technology into customer value: Partner closely with engineering and operations to understand customer requirements, evaluate applications, and develop compelling technical and commercial solutions.
• Convert opportunities into long-term partnerships: Lead the commercial development of pilots and proof-of-concept programs, converting successful engagements into recurring production business.
• Inform market priorities: Monitor industry trends, competitive dynamics, and customer needs, identifying promising applications and providing insights to refine commercial priorities.
• Build market presence: Represent our automotive business at industry events, customer meetings, and strategic engagements to expand our reach and establish relationships across target markets.
• Own commercial performance: Take accountability for pipeline development, opportunity conversion, and revenue growth across your target markets.

Required Background & Experience:

• 5+ years of business development, technical sales, or commercial experience within automotive industry..
• Demonstrated success developing new business and closing complex, technical deals involving multiple stakeholders and extended sales cycles.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development, supplier ecosystems, sourcing processes, and RFQ requirements.
• Ability to engage credibly with engineering and manufacturing teams, understand technical requirements, and translate them into commercial opportunities.
• Strong commercial judgment, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, navigate complex customer organizations, and drive deals to completion.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to operate independently, take ownership of results, and succeed in a fast-moving environment.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to travel to customers, industry events, and manufacturing facilities as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Established relationships with specialty vehicle manufacturers, performance automotive companies, aftermarket businesses, or related industry leaders.
• Experience selling advanced manufacturing technologies, capital equipment, or manufacturing-as-a-service solutions.
• Familiarity with sheet metal forming, stamping, tooling, additive manufacturing, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing new markets or commercial opportunities within an early-stage or high-growth hardware company.