Business Development Lead Application

Overview: Synergy Research Labs, Inc. (SRL) is a deep-tech startup pioneering the next generation of high-power electronics. We are the first company to commercialize high-quality native gallium oxide epiWafers alongside high-performance device architectures, addressing a critical global shortage in next-generation electronic materials. Utilizing our proprietary scalable growth process, SRL delivers UWBG materials at unprecedented growth rates and quality to enable ultra-high voltage, energy-efficient, and miniaturized power systems.

SRL is seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Business Development professional to bridge the gap between technical capability and commercial adoption. You will work closely with SRL’s leadership and technical teams in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment to identify customer needs, develop strategic relationships, support pilot opportunities, and translate SRL’s proprietary epiWafers and device roadmap into high-value commercial opportunities. Located in Urbana, Illinois.

Compensation: SRL offers competitive compensation and equity packages reflective of the strategic importance of this role.

Core Responsibilities:

  • Identify, qualify, and prioritize potential customers, pilot partners, strategic partners, and commercial application areas

  • Conduct customer discovery across power electronics, semiconductors, defense, energy, electric mobility, aerospace, data centers, grid infrastructure, and industrial power systems

  • Build and maintain organized records of target companies, contacts, outreach status, market feedback, and commercial opportunities

  • Develop market maps, customer segmentation, competitive intelligence, and application-specific opportunity assessments

  • Support outreach to technical decision-makers, business leaders, government stakeholders, investors, and strategic partners

  • Translate customer feedback into clear summaries of technical requirements, purchasing drivers, adoption barriers, and pilot opportunities

  • Coordinate with SRL’s technical team to align customer discovery findings with device specifications, wafer offerings, packaging needs, and development priorities

  • Support preparation of business development materials, investor materials, customer briefs, grant materials, white papers, and strategic partnership documents

  • Track relevant conferences, industry groups, funding programs, procurement opportunities, and partnership channels

  • Help develop repeatable business development processes for outreach, follow-up, pipeline tracking, and commercial reporting

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Public Policy, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience

  • 2+ years of experience in business development, market research, sales, commercialization, strategy, consulting, venture, government programs, or a related field

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical ideas clearly to non-technical audiences

  • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, synthesize findings, and produce organized business materials

  • Proficiency with spreadsheets, documents, presentation tools, and structured tracking systems

  • Ability to manage multiple workstreams, follow up consistently, and operate with limited supervision in a startup environment

  • Interest in deep technology, semiconductors, power electronics, energy, defense, advanced manufacturing, or hard-tech commercialization

  • U.S. Citizenship

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in semiconductors, power electronics, advanced materials, energy, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or industrial technology

  • Experience in startups supporting customer discovery, pilot programs, strategic partnerships, government funding, SBIR/STTR programs, grants, or investor-facing materials

  • Familiarity with CRM tools, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Airtable, Notion, HubSpot, PowerBI, Excel, or similar business operations tools

  • Ability to understand technical product roadmaps and convert market feedback into actionable commercial priorities

  • Comfort engaging with senior technical, commercial, government, and investor stakeholders

  • Strong attention to detail, professional judgment, persistence, and ownership

Job Description:

Apply: