Commercial Lead - Manchester

Commercial Lead, Venture-backed deep-tech | Manchester | Full-time

Optera is an early-stage UK deep-tech business operating across a portfolio of related capabilities in space and defence. We are backed by experienced institutional investors and supported by a board with deep sector credibility.

Our active business lines sit at different points on the maturity curve — from a near-term revenue-generating space domain awareness business (Astracyte) through to longer-cycle on-orbit demonstrators and proprietary sensor technology that becomes available in roughly two years. The strategic intent is to build a saleable group: revenue is one indicator of progress, but commercial proof points, partnerships and pipeline are equally important to the eventual exit narrative.

Purpose of the role

The Commercial Lead is accountable for converting Optera’s technical advantage into a credible, defensible commercial position across its active business lines. You will own the go-to-market: positioning, target account strategy, partnerships with primes, and entry onto strategic programmes — starting in Western Europe and the UK, then expanding into the United States.

The CEO will continue to lead the closure of in-flight opportunities through 2026; this role builds the forward pipeline and the commercial machinery that allows Optera to scale into 2027 and beyond. It is a senior, strategic seat shaping how the business enters a complex, IP-sensitive, regulated market — not a transactional sales role.

Candidate profile

We are looking for a senior business development leader with genuine credibility in space and/or defence, the discipline to operate in long-cycle, IP-sensitive markets, and a clear startup mindset.

Essential

• Senior BD / commercial track record selling complex, high-value systems into space, defence or adjacent regulated markets.

• Demonstrable network among UK and Western European primes, defence customers and programme offices.

• Comfort with long sales cycles, formal tenders, complex procurement and multi-stakeholder governance.

UK work visa essential. No relocation or sponsorship available. Thanks

Why this role:

You'll see and shape every part of the business — commercial, technical, financial and cultural — at the moment it scales. There is a genuine path to broader operational leadership over time, and the equity case that goes with it.

Compensation

• Competitive base salary benchmarked to senior space/defence BD roles in the UK market.

• Performance-related commission tied to qualified pipeline conversion and signed contract value.

• Standard UK workplace pension at the statutory minimum (employer contribution in line with auto-enrolment requirements).

• Meaningful equity participation as the principal long-term upside, calibrated to seniority and stage .

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