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- Tasks: Lead strategic sales and customer engagement for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in Europe.
- Company: Join Shield AI, a cutting-edge defence tech company focused on protecting service members with autonomous systems.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive international benefits package and the opportunity to travel across Europe.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of aerospace innovation, shaping the future of air combat solutions.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in air force roles and 8-10+ years in defence business development required.
- Other info: Open to candidates from anywhere in Europe willing to travel 30-50%.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.
At Shield AI, we’re redefining the battlespace with autonomy-enabled airpower. As part of our global expansion, we’re looking for a bold and visionary Director – CCAs, Europe to lead strategic sales, customer engagement, and capture efforts for our Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiatives across the region. This is a high-impact role at the cutting edge of aerospace and defense innovation. You’ll be on the front lines, driving adoption and revenue for Shield AI’s CCA technologies by engaging directly with top-tier defense stakeholders—military customers, industry primes, and government decision-makers. Your mission: position Shield AI as the go-to partner for next-generation air combat solutions in Europe.
You’ll bring a rare mix of defense sales expertise, technical credibility, and a deep understanding of air domain CONOPS and acquisition frameworks. From identifying new opportunities to closing complex deals and launching early-stage programs, you’ll own the entire business development lifecycle.
What you'll do:
- Drive Strategic Capture: Identify, shape, and capture high-value opportunities across European next-gen airpower programs relevant to CCAs and autonomy.
- Own Regional Sales Pipeline: Lead the full business development lifecycle for CCA-focused efforts, from customer engagement through proposal, negotiation, and contract award.
- Engage Key Stakeholders: Build and maintain trusted relationships with Ministries of Defence, defense primes, integrators, and NATO-related bodies.
- Shape Requirements & CONOPS: Influence customer requirements and future CCA CONOPS to align with Shield AI’s product offerings.
- Support Demonstrations & Campaigns: Lead Shield AI’s positioning and participation in regional flight demos, technical trials, and program pilots.
- Coordinate Cross-Functionally: Collaborate closely with engineering, product, legal, and program teams to align technical solutions with customer needs and delivery requirements.
- Inform Product Direction: Provide field intelligence to guide feature development, integration strategy, and roadmap priorities for Hivemind-enabled CCA solutions.
Required qualifications:
- 15+ years in a relevant air force occupation, bringing significant depth of understanding of relevant CONOPs and platform applications.
- 8–10+ years of experience in defense acquisition, business development, sales, or strategy, ideally with a focus on air platforms or autonomy.
- Strong track record of capturing and closing defense programs or tech insertions with European ministries of defence or multinational frameworks.
- Understanding of next-gen air combat trends, including CCAs, MUM-T, and AI-enabled CONOPS.
- Ability to credibly represent technically complex products to both strategic and operational-level audiences.
- Familiarity with key European defense programs (e.g., FCAS/SCAF, Tempest/GCAP, Eurodrone) and regional acquisition pathways.
- Willingness to travel extensively across Europe (30–50%).
Our international team members are employed through our Employer of Record (EOR) and receive a comprehensive international benefits package on top of base salary. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
Director of Business Development, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (Europe) (R3498) employer: Shield AI
Contact Detail:
Shield AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Business Development, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (Europe) (R3498)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence and aerospace sectors, especially those involved with Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Attend industry conferences and events to meet potential contacts who can provide insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Shield AI's products and recent developments in air combat technology. This knowledge will help you engage effectively with stakeholders and demonstrate your understanding of the market.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in capturing and closing defence programmes. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your success in similar roles, particularly within European ministries of defence.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to influence customer requirements and CONOPS. Think about how you can align your past experiences with Shield AI’s mission and how you can contribute to shaping future air combat solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Business Development, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (Europe) (R3498)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Director of Business Development position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in defense sales and business development.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly outline your 15+ years of experience in air force occupations and your track record in capturing defense programs. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in air platforms and autonomy.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the mission of Shield AI. Highlight your understanding of next-gen air combat trends and how your skills align with the company's goals. Make it personal and engaging.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements in previous roles, such as successful negotiations or significant contracts won. This will help illustrate your capability to drive strategic capture and manage a sales pipeline effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shield AI
✨Research Shield AI Thoroughly
Before the interview, dive deep into Shield AI's mission, products, and recent developments. Understanding their technology and how it fits into the defence landscape will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Defence Expertise
Given the role's focus on defence sales and air combat, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in detail. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex defence acquisition processes and built relationships with key stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Director, you'll need to think strategically about business development. Be ready to share your vision for capturing high-value opportunities in the European market and how you would position Shield AI as a leader in next-gen air combat solutions.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Since the role requires a strong understanding of technical products, brush up on relevant concepts like CONOPS and autonomy in air combat. Be ready to discuss how you can effectively communicate complex technical information to both strategic and operational audiences.
