Senior Business Development Manager at Shield AI

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Shield AI Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Defense, Aerospace, National SecurityIndustries

Requirements

  • Significant experience in business development, sales, or commercial strategy
  • Experience in defence, aerospace, autonomy, AI, or uncrewed systems
  • Demonstrated success closing deals within defence or complex government procurement cycles
  • Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills - at all levels of government and industry
  • Proven ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, BD, and product teams
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; confident with executive audiences
  • Comfortable managing multiple pursuits in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to travel ~25% (Australia + New Zealand)
  • Based in, or willing to relocate to, Melbourne or Canberra
  • Knowledge of ADF/RNZDF operations and procurement approaches

Responsibilities

  • Execute go-to-market strategies for X-BAT, V-BAT, ViDAR, and Hivemind, focused on enterprise-level autonomy and scalable SaaS adoption
  • Lead and support major sales pursuits, differentiating Shield AI in competitive and regulated procurement environments
  • Engage with government and industry stakeholders to build long-term partnerships with defence and national security leaders
  • Provide actionable market intelligence to influence product development and strategic direction
  • Work cross-functionally with product, engineering, and operations to deliver solutions that solve real operational problems
  • Support proposal development, product demonstrations, and immersive customer engagements
  • Strengthen collaboration across the international Shield AI ecosystem
  • Contribute directly to annual sales targets and strategic growth objectives

Skills

Business Development
Go-to-Market Strategy
Sales Pursuits
Stakeholder Engagement
Market Intelligence
Proposal Development
Product Demonstrations
Defence Industry
National Security
SaaS
Autonomy Systems

Shield AI

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

About Shield AI

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$772.8MTotal Funding
DEBTCompany Stage
AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage
Long Term Disability Insurance
Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA
Employee Assistance Program
Subsidized Gym Membership
Pet Insurance
Competitive Compensation
Retirement Services
Life Insurance
Parental Leave
Bereavement Support
Flexible Work Hours
PTO
Paid Holidays
Commuter Benefits
Relaxed Dress Code
Yearly Swag Items
Unlimited Snacks
Bottomless Beverages
Annual Celebrations
Work From Home Benefits
Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Waymo could divert investment from Shield AI.
Geopolitical tensions may challenge the JSW Defence partnership for V-BAT production in India.
Dependency on Palantir's infrastructure may limit Shield AI's operational flexibility.

Differentiation

Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI pilot deployed in combat since 2018.
Strategic partnerships with Palantir and JSW Defence enhance technological capabilities and market reach.
Shield AI's V-BAT drone is selected for a $198 million U.S. Coast Guard contract.

Upsides

Increased demand for autonomous systems in defense boosts Shield AI's market potential.
Successful multi-aircraft autonomous flight tests showcase advanced AI piloting capabilities.
Significant investment in robotics indicates a robust market for Shield AI's offerings.

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