Business Development Lead
Shield AI is a U.S. defense-technology company developing AI-powered autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and allied operations.
Funding history
Investors
About Shield AI
Shield AI builds Hivemind, an end-to-end AI-pilot and mission-autonomy software platform for resilient operations in GPS- and communications-denied environments, alongside aircraft and simulation products including V-BAT, X-BAT, and Aechelon.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will own and execute the territory go-to-market strategy, build a pipeline for autonomy, aircraft, ISR, and mission-system opportunities, and lead deals from customer shaping through contract close. You will engage senior defence stakeholders, develop regional partnerships, coordinate cross-functional support, maintain forecasts, and provide market intelligence.
Requirements
- 6+ years of experience in business development, capture, sales, strategic engagement, account management, or related customer-facing roles in defence, aerospace, national security, or advanced technology
- Experience operating across international defence, government, or regulated markets
- Experience advancing complex opportunities with long sales cycles and senior stakeholders
- Technical aptitude and operational understanding of autonomous systems, ISR, mission systems, or AI-enabled defence capabilities
- Communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to travel frequently throughout the territory and internationally
- Ability to be based within the region or relocate within the assigned territory
- Fluency in English and regional languages relevant to the assigned market
Responsibilities
- Own and execute the go-to-market strategy across assigned markets
- Build and grow a pipeline across autonomy, aircraft, ISR, and mission-system opportunities
- Lead end-to-end deal closure, including account planning, proposals, negotiation, and contract close
- Engage senior military leaders, Ministries of Defence, procurement authorities, and industry partners
- Develop and manage regional partnerships and offset-aligned strategies
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to support capture and delivery
- Maintain forecasting, pipeline management, opportunity tracking, and campaign reporting
- Provide regional market intelligence
- Support customer engagement, follow-on growth, and account expansion after award