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.
Shield AI is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive Shield AI growth for primarily our V-BAT ISR UAS & Hivemind Mission Autonomy capability in the UK, focused on defence and government customers operating in time-sensitive and non-standard acquisition environments.
The role is responsible for identifying, shaping, and closing complex opportunities—including urgent operational requirements—while building trusted relationships across specialist end-user communities and programme offices. The successful candidate will also recognize opportunities for Shield AI's Hivemind mission autonomy platform and partner with.
Sales Leadership, Product, Engineering, and Strategic Engagement teams to align customer needs with autonomous ISR and mission autonomy capabilities.
What You'll Do:
Own and drive the full sales lifecycle for V-BAT ISR opportunities across assigned accounts and territories, from pipeline generation through close — with particular focus on accelerated and non-standard acquisition pathways
Identify, qualify, and prosecute urgent operational requirement (UOR) opportunities by leveraging deep knowledge of how end-user communities generate, validate, and fund time-critical capability needs
Develop and execute territory and capture strategies for priority pursuits, aligning with Shield AI's long-term strategic plan and the evolving ISR and mission autonomy requirements of UK and allied special operations forces
Build and maintain trusted relationships with key decision-makers, capability sponsors, programme offices, and influencers across the special mission and broader defence community
Identify and shape requirements at source — engaging with users, capability development functions, and acquisition intermediaries to position V-BAT before formal requirements are crystallised
Recognise and surface Hivemind mission autonomy opportunities that emerge through V-BAT customer engagement, and partner with the wider Shield AI BD team to progress them appropriately
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 Shield AI's capability set effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments including those with restricted visibility
Partner with Product, Engineering, and Solutions teams to translate operational customer needs into compelling technical and mission-relevant solutions — spanning both V-BAT and Hivemind where relevant
Manage deal progression with rigour — qualification, deal strategy, forecasting accuracy, and CRM hygiene
Represent Shield AI at relevant industry events, exercises, and customer engagements to expand 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)
Credible pipeline generation within the special mission and UOR-adjacent customer set, anchored on V-BAT ISR
Successful identification and shaping of at least one urgent or accelerated acquisition opportunity
Improved deal velocity and win rates through disciplined qualification and customer positioning
Identification of at least one Hivemind-relevant opportunity through V-BAT customer engagement
Establishment of trusted relationships with key customer stakeholders, capability development functions, and strategic partners
Consistent, accurate forecasting and high-quality CRM and pipeline hygiene
Meaningful contribution to Shield AI revenue growth across the UK and European region
Required qualifications:
Substantive operational background in the UK special operations, special mission, or high-readiness environment with experience in roles that bridged operational requirement and capability development
Direct familiarity with how ISR capabilities are identified, trialled, acquired, and sustained in non-standard or time-sensitive procurement environments
Demonstrated experience in capability development, capability acquisition, or working closely with the functions that sponsor and manage them — programme sponsors, requirements owners, or acquisition support roles
Proven track record of transitioning from military service into a commercial role selling defence capability back into the special operations or broader MoD customer base
Deep understanding of UK defence acquisition processes, including formal procurement and accelerated or urgent pathways
Strong experience developing and executing capture strategies for complex, relationship-driven opportunities
Technical aptitude and ability to engage credibly with Engineering, Product, and Operational stakeholders on UAS ISR performance, integration, and broader autonomous systems
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills — particularly in environments where discretion and relationship trust are paramount
Self-motivated, results-oriented, and capable of operating with a high degree of autonomy in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
Active SC clearance as a minimum; DV-cleared candidates or those with eligibility strongly preferred
Preferred qualifications:
Prior commercial experience selling UAS, ISR, or autonomous systems — including AI-enabled mission systems — into UK defence or allied special operations customers
Established relationships within the special operations or special mission community in a commercial capacity
Familiarity with mission autonomy concepts and how AI-enabled systems are being considered within special operations and broader defence capability planning
Experience engaging with Large Systems Integrators (LSIs) and strategic partners relevant to the UK UAS and autonomous systems market
Familiarity with the broader UAS regulatory and airspace integration landscape in the UK and Europe
Ability to travel as required for customer engagements and industry events
Degree-level education or equivalent professional development
