Business Development Lead, Premier/SIs (R5143)

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. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a high-performing Business Development / Account Executive to drive growth for Hivemind Autonomy across the Americas, with a primary focus on U.S.-based defense and government customers.

This role is responsible for identifying, shaping, and closing complex opportunities while building enduring customer relationships and executing disciplined capture strategies. You will partner closely with Sales Leadership, Product, Engineering, and Strategic Engagement teams to align customer needs with Hivemind’s autonomy capabilities and deliver mission-critical outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a customer-first, technically credible seller with strong capture instincts, experience navigating defense acquisition processes, and a proven track record of winning and expanding strategic accounts.

What you'll do:

Own and drive the full sales lifecycle[B(2] [P(3] 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 rigor (qualification, deal strategy, forecasting accuracy, CRM hygiene)

Represent Shield AI at industry events, conferences, and customer engagements to 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/defense, or similar)

Proven track record of owning and closing deals, particularly within U.S. government or defense markets

Deep understanding of defense 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

Bachelor’s degree required

Preferred qualifications:

Experience selling autonomy, AI/ML, or unmanned systems (UAS) solutions a plus

Prior military experience

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

$270,000 - $400,000 a year

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.