POSTING ACTIVE · REQ-0A0AD · FY26.Q2
Senior Staff BD Account Executive, Autonomy Specialist (R5123)
Shield AI
[ COMPENSATION RANGE · ANNUAL · BASE ]
Not Disclosed
§ 01OVERVIEW
Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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.
§ 02JOB DESCRIPTION:
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
§ 03WHAT 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 rigor (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
§ 04MEASURES 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
§ 05REQUIRED 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
- Fluent in: English
§ 06PREFERRED 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
#LI-KC5
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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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- Where is this Senior Staff BD Account Executive, Autonomy Specialist (R5123) role based?
- The role is based in Seoul.
- What experience does Shield AI expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a executive-level role, typically 10+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Shield AI headquartered?
- Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Shield AI's Lever careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
[ APPLICATION ROUTE ]LEVER · External ATS
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