Associate Director, PNT Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

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What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is seeking an Associate Director, PNT Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships to lead the development and execution of Iridium's chipset and platform partner strategy for its next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. This role is responsible for establishing strategic relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, module providers, device manufacturers, and platform partners to accelerate adoption of Iridium's satellite-enabled PNT capabilities. The Associate Director will develop commercial partnership models, negotiate licensing and co-development agreements, influence industry standards, and lead a team focused on expanding Iridium's presence within the global PNT ecosystem. Success in this role will directly influence long-term revenue growth by securing design wins that position Iridium technology within next-generation products and platforms.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and execute the strategic partnership roadmap for Iridium's satellite-based PNT ecosystem, with a focus on chipset manufacturers, module providers, device OEMs, and platform partners.

• Foster and develop a highly effective team of strategic partnership and business development professionals to execute Iridium's chipset partnership strategy, expand the PNT ecosystem, and achieve long-term business growth objectives.

• Mentor, coach, and develop team members by setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, identifying opportunities for growth, and removing obstacles that impact individual and team effectiveness to drive continuous improvement and business results.

• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with semiconductor companies, technology partners, and industry stakeholders to secure strategic design wins and long-term commercial partnerships.

• Lead negotiations for licensing agreements, royalty structures, co-development initiatives, and other commercial arrangements that drive sustainable revenue growth.

• Develop partner enablement strategies, technical engagement models, and go-to-market initiatives that accelerate adoption of Iridium's PNT technology.

• Identify, prioritize, and manage a pipeline of strategic partnership opportunities while driving execution from initial engagement through commercial agreement.

• Represent Iridium within industry standards organizations, technical working groups, and industry forums to influence the evolution of positioning, navigation, and timing technologies.

• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and executive leadership to align partnership strategies with product roadmaps and business objectives.

• Monitor industry trends, competitive positioning, emerging technologies, and market dynamics to identify new partnership opportunities and strategic risks.

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing strategic partnerships team, providing coaching, direction, and accountability to achieve organizational objectives.

• Provide executive leadership with strategic recommendations, business forecasts, partnership performance metrics, and market intelligence that inform long-term growth strategies.

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What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field; master’s degree preferred

• 12+ years of progressive experience in strategic business development, partnerships, product commercialization, or related leadership roles within the semiconductor, GNSS, satellite communications, wireless, or technology industries.

• 5+ years of leading strategic partnerships or business development initiatives involving executive-level customer and partner engagement.

• Demonstrated success negotiating complex commercial agreements, licensing arrangements, joint development partnerships, or technology collaborations.

• Experience building strategic relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, chipset vendors, device manufacturers, or technology platform providers.

• Experience leading teams and managing high-performing business development or strategic partnership organizations.

• Strong understanding of GNSS, positioning, navigation, timing, satellite communications, or adjacent technologies.

• Demonstrated ability to develop long-term partnership strategies that align with corporate growth objectives.

• Executive presence with exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience developing licensing, royalty, and partnership business models.

• Ability to influence senior executives across internal and external organizations.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to assess market opportunities and competitive dynamics.

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Demonstrated success securing design wins or silicon licensing agreements with Tier-1 semiconductor manufacturers.

• Experience participating in industry standards organizations such as ION, RTCM, 3GPP, SAE, or similar technical organizations.

• Familiarity with L-band satellite communications, Iridium architecture, or resilient PNT technologies.

• Experience commercializing emerging technologies within highly technical B2B markets.

• Extensive travel experience, creating confidence and a comfort level in working around the globe and in new locations continually

We’ll also need you to:

• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizen

• Be able to work across all continents of the globe across remote teams to drive revenue-development activities and team performance that serves to accelerate the performance of our partners and the overall Iridium business

• Be available for global work hours

• Be able to travel, both domestically and internationally, up to 50%

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Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $190,000 - $248,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.