Business Development Manager, Saudi Arabia - Shield AI

Job Title: Business Development Manager, Saudi Arabia
Job Location: Riyadh
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/adb5864a-938a-4d24-8163-264f0ab2d5b2
Job Description: 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 nine 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.

We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Business Development Manager to lead and grow Shield AI’s presence in Saudi Arabia. The ideal candidate will have 5– 10 years of business development experience in the defense and aerospace industry
and a proven track record of engaging with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This role requires strong industry knowledge, networking capabilities, and presentation skills to represent Shield AI effectively at the highest levels.
What you'll do
Drive business development initiatives across Saudi Arabia within the defense and aerospace sector.
Build and maintain strong relationships with government entities, particularly the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces.
•dentify new opportunities, partnerships, and contracts to expand Shield AI’s market presence.
Deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and pitches in both English and Arabic.
Represent Shield AI at industry expos, conferences, and networking events both locally and internationally.
Provide market intelligence and industry insights to guide business strategy.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment between client requirements and company solutions.
Support the preparation of bids, proposals, and negotiations with stakeholders.
Serve as a trusted representative of Shield AI in strategic discussions with key decision-makers.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (required).
5–10 years of experience in business development within the defense and aerospace industry.
Direct exposure to and relationships with the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia.
Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and Arabic (both written and spoken).
Strong industry knowledge, market intelligence, and professional network in defense and aerospace.
Proven ability to secure new business and drive growth in competitive markets.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and business development tools.
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Flexible to travel locally and internationally for events, expos, and client engagements.