Head of Growth

About this role

AndrenaM is seeking a Business Development / Growth Strategist who is passionate about driving market expansion and forging key partnerships in the defense technology sector. As part of our founding team, you will be instrumental in shaping and executing our growth strategy, helping AndrenaM scale its revolutionary maritime autonomous systems technology and grow our defense and commercial client base.

Our primary business challenge is to expand the reach of our real-time maritime sensing and communication platform across U.S. defense markets and strategic international markets. You will play a pivotal role in building relationships, securing contracts, and driving revenue growth, all while navigating the complexities of the defense industry.

In this role

• You will set new standards for business development in the maritime autonomous systems market.
• You will develop and execute growth strategies that accelerate AndrenaM’s market penetration, focusing on U.S. defense clients and NATO allies.
• You will work closely with leadership and engineers to align technical capabilities with market opportunities.
• You will have the opportunity to shape and expand your role over time, with significant input on strategic direction.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage relationships with key defense industry stakeholders, including government agencies, defense contractors, and system integrators.
• Drive business development efforts by securing new business opportunities, leading proposal efforts, and closing contracts.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape within the defense sector.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, and marketing) to align product offerings with market needs.
• Develop strategic partnerships with complementary technology providers, research institutions, and commercial partners.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline, tracking progress through CRM tools, and providing regular updates to leadership.
• Lead participation in defense industry events, conferences, and meetings to increase AndrenaM’s visibility and influence in the market.
• Work with legal teams to ensure all business development activities comply with defense regulations and ITAR.

Some types of experiences we're especially excited to see

• Experience in defense contracting, business development, or government relations in technology sectors.
• Proven track record of securing government contracts, particularly in defense or maritime domains.
• Familiarity with the defense acquisition process (DoD, NATO, FMS) and government funding programs such as SBIR/STTR.
• Strong network within the defense or defense-adjacent industries, including relationships with DoD, DHS, or other defense agencies.
• Experience negotiating and structuring strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and cooperative agreements.
• Background in technology or an understanding of technical products in sectors such as autonomous systems, AI, or communications is a plus.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with ITAR compliance and other defense regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in a fast-paced startup or high-growth environment is highly desirable.
• Ability and willingness to get a security clearance.

Why join us?

AndrenaM is an innovative, mission-driven company at the intersection of maritime autonomy and defense. We offer:

• Stock options with significant growth potential.
• Flexible vacation policy and paid holidays.
• Health coverage.
• Access to a unique work environment, blending technology and defense.

About AndrenaM

AndrenaM is building the central nervous system for maritime autonomy by creating a distributed sensing and communication network. To date we’ve raised capital from leading investors in the space including AlsoCapital, Banter, 201 Ventures, and Wave Function. Our platform integrates sensors, autonomous vehicles, and AI-driven analytics to provide real-time situational awareness and defense capabilities. Our technology supports critical maritime defense operations for the U.S. Navy and NATO, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in maritime autonomy.