Director of Business Development

About CyngnBased in Mountain View, CA, Cyngn is a publicly-traded autonomous technology company. We deploy self-driving industrial vehicles like forklifts and tuggers to factories, warehouses, and other facilities throughout North America. To build this emergent technology, we are looking for innovative, motivated, and experienced leaders to join us and move this field forward. If you like to build, tinker, and create with a team of trusted and passionate colleagues, then Cyngn is the place for you. Key reasons to join Cyngn: We are small and big.With under 100 employees, Cyngn operates with the energy of a startup. On the other hand, we’re publicly traded. This means our employees not only work in close-knit teams with mentorship from company leaders—they also get access to the liquidity of our publicly-traded equity.We build today and deploy tomorrow.Our autonomous vehicles aren’t just test concepts—they’re deployed to real clients right now. That means your work will have a tangible, visible impact.We aren’t robots. We just develop them.We’re a welcoming, diverse team of sharp thinkers and kind humans. Collaboration and trust drive our creative environment. At Cyngn, everyone’s perspective matters—and that’s what powers our innovation.About this role:The Director of Business Development will play a pivotal role in driving Cyngn’s growth strategy through strategic partnerships, M&A and corporate transactions. This individual will work closely with the CEO and executive team to identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities that accelerate revenue growth, expand our technology capabilities, and strengthen our market position.This is a cross-functional leadership role that blends strategy, finance, business development, and corporate governance. The ideal candidate has experience in technology-driven industries—preferably autonomous systems, robotics, mobility, or industrial automation—and preferably understands both the operational and capital markets dimensions of a NASDAQ-listed company.ResponsibilitiesIdentify, structure, and negotiate strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and OEM/channel collaborations that expand Cyngn’s product reach and customer base.Develop and manage relationships with key industrial vehicle manufacturers, automation partners, and technology providers.Support the commercialization strategy for DriveMod-enabled vehicles and related EAS products.Collaborate with product and engineering teams to align partnership and product roadmaps.Lead the evaluation of acquisition targets and technology partnerships to accelerate growth.Perform market mapping, valuation analysis, due diligence, and post-merger integration planning.Build financial and strategic models to assess ROI, synergies, and transaction impact.Prepare Board materials and investor communications for corporate transactions.Work with investment banks, analysts, and investors to communicate Cyngn’s growth story and corporate vision.Assist with financial modeling, investor decks, and SEC filing coordination (S-3, 8-K, proxy statements, etc.).Track competitive and market trends across industrial automation, robotics, and autonomy.Provide data-driven insights to inform strategic planning, partnerships, and investor positioning.Contribute to the company’s long-term strategic roadmap in alignment with financial and operational objectives.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.8+ years of relevant experience in business development, corporate development, investment banking, or strategy—preferably in technology or industrial sectors.Strong financial modeling and valuation skills (DCF, comps, M&A analysis).Experience negotiating and structuring strategic partnerships or M&A transactions.Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience preparing materials for C-level and Board audiences.Deep understanding of public company dynamics, SEC reporting, and capital market processes.Preferred QualificationsMBA or advanced degree.Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, industrial automation, or electric vehicle sectors.Track record of executing successful M&A and partnership deals in growth-stage companies.Benefits & PerksHealth benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA and FSA (Health & Dependent Daycare), Employee Assistance Program, 1:1 Health Concierge)Life, Short-term and long-term disability insurance (Cyngn funds 100% of premiums)Company 401(k)Commuter BenefitsFlexible vacation policySabbatical leave opportunity after 5 years with the companyPaid Parental LeaveDaily lunches for in-office employees and fully-stocked kitchen with snacks and beveragesMonthly meal and tech allowances for remote employeesAllowance to purchase new headphones when you join$160,000 - $185,000 a yearWe may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.