Senior Associate, Corporate Development

Overview

This role supports a chemistry-focused acquisition strategy by helping build an “acquisition engine” from the ground up. You will identify strategic targets, drive transactions, and translate acquired capabilities into lasting competitive advantage. The work is not a traditional banking or private equity role; it applies rigorous dealmaking to an industrial strategy where the value of acquisitions extends beyond existing operations to unlocked molecules, markets, and manufacturing possibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition workstreams: Own key workstreams across live transactions—from investment thesis and valuation through due diligence and deal structuring, including negotiation support. Coordinate finance, legal, technical, and operational stakeholders to keep deals moving with velocity and discipline.
• Source and evaluate strategic acquisitions: Identify and prioritize acquisition targets across licensed manufacturing sites, qualified production lines, and businesses with established defense customers. Evaluate each opportunity for standalone value and for how it can accelerate the company’s chemistry platform.
• Drive acquisition value creation: Partner with Strategy & Operations and functional leaders to translate acquisition theses into integration priorities, track value creation, and ensure strategic rationale becomes operational reality.
• Build an acquisition playbook: Develop frameworks, decision criteria, and repeatable processes that enable acquisitions with speed and discipline. Capture lessons from each transaction to continuously improve future identification, evaluation, and execution.

Requirements

• 3–4 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or transaction advisory.
• Direct M&A transaction experience, including financial modeling, valuation, and due diligence.
• Strong financial and commercial judgment, with the ability to assess opportunities beyond conventional valuation metrics.
• Ability to lead complex transaction workstreams and coordinate stakeholders across multiple disciplines.
• Clear, compelling communication skills and experience working with executive stakeholders.
• High ownership, exceptional organization, and a bias toward action.
• Interest in or experience with deep tech, chemicals, energy, defense, or industrial markets is a plus.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to data and systems subject to U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Location & Compensation

• Location: Remote, with travel required (40%–60%). The employer is committed to developing a sustainable travel model and will be thoughtful about when travel is required, focusing on travel for high-value engagements.
• Base salary range: $135,000–$165,000.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical coverage: Wide range of plans, with many options fully covered for employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.
• 401(k) with match: Employer match up to 4% of eligible compensation.
• Paid time off: Vacation, paid company holidays, and an end-of-year shutdown.
• Bonus: Bonus program is in development; once in place, bonuses will be discretionary and tied to individual and company performance.
• Equity: Equity commensurate with experience, with meaningful upside as the organization scales.

Work Authorization & Equal Opportunity

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.