Founding European Account Executive, London

Founding European Account Executive, London

London Full-Time 75000 - 110000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Sift Stack

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive new customer acquisition and manage complex sales cycles with engineering teams.
  • Company: Join Sift, a pioneering tech company transforming engineering processes.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, commission, equity, and benefits package.
  • Other info: Opportunity for mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge industries like aerospace and robotics.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of engineering sales in a fast-growing deep-tech startup.
  • Qualifications: 6-10+ years in technical sales, strong communication skills, and a passion for technology.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 110000 € per year.

Sift is building the infrastructure that modern engineering teams rely on to design, test, and operate complex machines. Our platform provides real-time observability for high-frequency telemetry, enabling engineers to debug complex systems faster, identify failures earlier, and operate safely in environments where reliability is mission-critical.

Sift was founded by engineers who worked on some of the most ambitious aerospace programs in history — including Dragon, Falcon, Starlink, and Starship at SpaceX. Those programs exposed the limits of existing tools for telemetry analysis, system debugging, and mission-critical validation. Sift was built to solve those challenges and is now supporting teams building advanced systems across aerospace, defense, robotics, energy, and industrial manufacturing.

We are expanding our go-to-market presence across Europe and are hiring an Account Executive based in London to help build and grow Sift’s customer base in the region. This role is ideal for an experienced sales professional proficient in highly technical sales, familiarity with the European hardware / defense landscape, and interest in kickstarting a new sales region for a high growth startup.

The Role

As an Account Executive at Sift, you will own complex sales cycles with engineering and technical teams building some of the most advanced systems in the world. You will work closely with the existing sales and technical teams to identify new opportunities, guide customers through technical evaluations, and close deals that deliver measurable engineering value. This role involves working with technical stakeholders such as engineering leaders, systems engineers, and program managers, while also aligning executive buyers around commercial outcomes. The role is based in London, with travel across Europe for customer meetings, industry events, and technical evaluations when required.

Responsibilities

  • Drive New Customer Acquisition
  • Identify and develop new opportunities with engineering-driven organisations across Europe
  • Prospect into target accounts and build relationships with technical and executive stakeholders
  • Develop account strategies and manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities
  • Run Technical Sales Cycles
  • Lead discovery conversations to understand system architecture, telemetry workflows, and engineering challenges
  • Partner with solutions engineering and product teams to guide technical evaluations and pilots
  • Define success criteria and drive evaluations toward clear business outcomes
  • Close High-Value Deals
  • Manage opportunities from initial conversation through contract signature
  • Align technical validation with commercial decision-making
  • Navigate procurement, legal, and security processes typical in enterprise and government-adjacent environments
  • Collaborate Cross-Functionally
  • Work closely with Solutions Engineering, Product, and Customer Success teams
  • Share insights from the field to improve product positioning and sales strategy
  • Help Develop Sift’s European Playbook
  • Be the lead point of contact for Sift in the EMEA market
  • Work with leadership to identify the best expansion strategy for the team
  • Help interview and hire as the team expands
  • Maintain Forecast Accuracy
  • Maintain disciplined pipeline management and forecasting
  • Clearly communicate deal progress, risks, and next steps to leadership

What You’ll Gain

  • Experience selling a highly technical product to advanced engineering teams
  • Exposure to complex enterprise sales cycles
  • Opportunity to help shape the European go-to-market strategy for a fast-growing deep-tech company
  • Close mentorship from experienced enterprise sellers and technical teams
  • Exposure to customers building cutting-edge systems in aerospace, defense, robotics, and industrial technology

We’re Looking For Someone Who

  • Is based in London or able to work from London
  • Has 6-10+ years of experience in a quota-carrying sales role
  • Has experience selling technical or complex products (SaaS, engineering software, or infrastructure platforms) in complex organizations
  • Is comfortable engaging technical stakeholders such as engineers and architects
  • Demonstrates strong curiosity and the ability to learn complex technical concepts quickly
  • Has a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets
  • Communicates clearly and confidently with both technical and executive audiences
  • Thrives in early-stage environments where processes are still evolving
  • Is highly motivated and willing to invest the effort required to succeed in complex enterprise sales

Location: This role is based onsite in London, United Kingdom and will require travel and work within the EU.

Compensation: Base salary £75,000–£110,000 (GBP) per year, plus £75,000–£110,000 (GBP) commission, bonus, equity, and benefits.

Founding European Account Executive, London employer: Sift Stack

Sift is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among engineering professionals. Based in London, employees benefit from close mentorship, exposure to cutting-edge technology, and the opportunity to shape the European go-to-market strategy for a rapidly growing deep-tech company. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to supporting teams in high-stakes industries, Sift provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact.

Sift Stack

Contact Detail:

Sift Stack Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding European Account Executive, London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that dream job!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research Sift and understand their products inside out. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in technical sales. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team.

Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the best choice for the position.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to 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 being part of the Sift team. Let’s get you that job!

We think you need these skills to ace Founding European Account Executive, London

Technical Sales
Customer Acquisition
Relationship Building
Account Strategy Development
Pipeline Management
Complex Sales Cycles
Technical Evaluations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Account Executive at Sift. Highlight your experience in technical sales and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to engage with engineering teams.

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 background aligns with our mission at Sift. Don’t forget to mention your familiarity with the European hardware and defense landscape!

Showcase Your Technical Acumen:Since we’re all about complex systems, make sure to highlight your understanding of technical concepts and your experience working with engineering stakeholders. This will help us see how you can navigate those technical sales cycles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you into our system quickly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sift Stack

Know Your Tech Inside Out

As an Account Executive at Sift, you'll be dealing with highly technical products. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of telemetry analysis and system debugging. Brush up on your knowledge about the aerospace and defence landscape to impress your interviewers.

Showcase Your Sales Strategy

Prepare to discuss your approach to driving new customer acquisition. Have examples ready of how you've identified opportunities and built relationships with technical stakeholders in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to manage complex sales cycles effectively.

Align with Their Mission

Sift is all about solving engineering challenges. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, and be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their goals. Showing that you understand their vision will set you apart from other candidates.

Prepare for Technical Conversations

Expect to engage in discussions about system architecture and engineering challenges. Practice articulating how you would lead discovery conversations and guide customers through technical evaluations. This will show that you're not just a salesperson, but a partner who understands their needs.