Senior Business Development Lead, Germany - Hivemind at Shield AI

Description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What You'll Do:
- Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for Hivemind opportunities across assigned accounts/territories (pipeline generation through close)

- Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits, aligning with Shield AI’s long-term strategic plan

- Identify, qualify, and shape new business opportunities through deep understanding of customer missions, budgets, and acquisition pathways

- Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, program offices, and influencers across defense and government customers

- Lead proposal development in partnership with BD Operations and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and value propositions

- Conduct competitive analysis and position Hivemind effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

- Partner with Product, Engineering, and Solutions teams to translate customer needs into compelling technical and operational solutions

- Manage deal progression with rigour (qualification, deal strategy, forecasting accuracy, CRM hygiene)

- Represent Shield AI at industry events, conferences, and customer engagements to expand market presence and pipeline

- Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and leadership on pipeline status, risks, and key milestones

Measures of Success (First 6–12 Months)

- Strong pipeline generation and progression within assigned accounts and territories

- Successful execution of capture strategies resulting in qualified opportunities and wins

- Improved deal velocity and win rates through disciplined qualification and positioning

- Establishment of trusted relationships with key customer stakeholders and partners

- Consistent, accurate forecasting and high-quality CRM and pipeline hygiene

- Meaningful contribution to revenue growth across the Americas Hivemind business
Required Qualifications:
- 10–15+ years of experience in business development, sales, or capture roles in technically complex domains (AI/ML, autonomy, SaaS, aerospace/defence, or similar)

- Proven track record of owning and closing deals, particularly within European government or defence markets

- Deep understanding of defence acquisition processes and government procurement lifecycle

- Strong experience developing and executing capture strategies for complex opportunities

- Technical aptitude and ability to engage credibly with Engineering, Product, and Operational stakeholders

- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills

- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and capable of operating in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications  
- Experience selling autonomy, AI/ML, or unmanned systems (UAS) solutions

- Prior military experience a plus

- Established relationships within defense, government, or aerospace customer sets

- Experience working with Large Systems Integrators (LSIs) and strategic partners

- Ability to travel as needed for customer engagements and industry events

- Active or eligibility for security clearance

- MBA or equivalent graduate degree

 
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.