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- Tasks: Lead strategic sales and capture efforts for innovative air combat solutions.
- Company: Join Shield AI, a cutting-edge deep-tech company transforming aerospace and defence.
- Benefits: Comprehensive rewards package and opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of next-gen airpower and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in air force roles and strong defence sales experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive collaboration across teams and regions.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture‑backed deep‑tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia‑Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports 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 of Business Development to lead strategic sales, customer engagement, and capture efforts for our X‑BAT 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 X‑BAT 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 X‑BAT 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%).
Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
X-BAT Capture Lead (R4031) in London employer: Shield AI
Contact Detail:
Shield AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land X-BAT Capture Lead (R4031) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people who work at Shield AI or similar companies. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Shield AI’s products and recent projects, especially around X-BAT. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their goals. Confidence is key, so practice your pitch!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past successes in defence sales and business development. Tailor it to reflect your understanding of air combat trends and how you can drive adoption for Shield AI’s initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Shield AI. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace X-BAT Capture Lead (R4031) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the X-BAT Capture Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in defense acquisition and business development, especially with air platforms or autonomy. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Shield AI!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your skills can help redefine the battlespace with autonomy-enabled airpower. Be bold and visionary—just like us!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to capture and close defense programs. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back on showcasing your successes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Let’s make this happen together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shield AI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Shield AI's products, especially the X-BAT and its applications in air combat. Familiarise yourself with relevant CONOPS and acquisition frameworks to demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves engaging with key stakeholders like Ministries of Defence and industry primes, think about how you can showcase your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built trust and rapport in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Successes
Be ready to discuss your track record in capturing and closing defence programmes. Highlight specific achievements that align with the requirements of the role, particularly those involving European ministries of defence or multinational frameworks.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in Shield AI’s mission and future direction. Inquire about their current challenges in the market or how they envision the evolution of next-gen air combat solutions, which will demonstrate your strategic thinking.
