Business Development Manager – Romania Internal Security & Caucasus (R5011)

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. 

About Shield AI: Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company building the world’s best AI pilot and next-generation autonomous aircraft. Founded in 2015, Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. With a recent valuation of approximately $12.7B, Shield AI develops autonomy software, unmanned aircraft systems, and AI-enabled ISR capabilities that actively support defence and security operations worldwide.  Shield AI works side-by-side with military and government customers to solve complex operational challenges in some of the world’s most demanding environments. The company’s products – including V-BAT, X-BAT, Hivemind autonomy software, and advanced mission systems – are designed to deliver operational advantage while reducing risk to human operators.  Shield AI believes the greatest victory requires no war. 

Job Description: Shield AI is seeking a high-performing Business Development Lead, to drive defence market growth, customer engagement, and business expansion across assigned markets in [Territory]. As Shield AI’s territory leader, this individual will represent Shield AI’s autonomy and aircraft portfolio, including V-BAT, X-BAT, ViDAR-enabled ISR capabilities, and Hivemind autonomy software across customer engagements, operational demonstrations, strategic partnerships, opportunity development and business growth initiatives.  The Business Development Lead owns territory strategy, pipeline development, account growth, and opportunity execution across the region, driving opportunities from early shaping through award and expansion. This role combines strategic business development, account leadership, and revenue generation in a fast-paced international defence environment. Additionally, this person will carry a sales quota for their assigned territory.  The ideal candidate is a customer-focused and technically credible leader with strong commercial instincts, experience navigating defence acquisition environments, and a proven track record of growing strategic accounts and delivering mission-critical outcomes. 

Romania: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Border Police, Coast Guard, intelligence, customs, emergency services, and other non-MoD security-sector accounts. Caucasus: defense and security-sector opportunities.

What you'll do:

Own and execute Shield AI’s go-to-market strategy across assigned markets, aligning territory activities with strategic growth priorities and customer mission requirements. 

Build and grow a disciplined pipeline across autonomy, aircraft, ISR, and mission-system opportunities aligned with regional defence priorities. 

Lead end-to-end deal closure, including account planning, customer shaping, competitive positioning, proposal leadership, negotiation, and contract close to meet or exceed carried sales quota.

Engage directly with senior military leaders, Ministries of Defence, procurement authorities, sovereign stakeholders, and strategic industry partners across the territory. 

Represent and differentiate Shield AI’s autonomy and aircraft portfolio by clearly articulating mission outcomes, operational advantages, and integration pathways. 

Develop and manage regional partnerships, consultants, industrial participation structures, and offset-aligned strategies that expand market access and accelerate execution. 

Coordinate cross-functional teams across Business Development, Product, Engineering, Government Rela …