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 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 https://shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

The International Business Development Manager will be responsible for building Shield AI’s business opportunities with a focus on order execution and growth in Japan. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Japan’s defense procurement process and demonstrate confidence in engaging with customers, representing Shield AI at industry events, and leading product demonstrations. You will operate on a small team with a demanding work and travel schedule and a very high level of responsibility and accountability to perform and deliver results, with the opportunity to make an outsized impact and become a major contributor to the company.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support the International Business Development Regional Director in executing Shield AI’s strategy and objectives.
• Engage with customers regularly to present and discuss Shield AI products (V-BAT, X-BAT, Hivemind Products, and ViDAR).
• Cultivate, nurture, and maintain strong relationships across the Japanese Government, military services, and defense industries to ensure engagements with key stakeholders
• Represent Shield AI at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events, showcasing our technology and capabilities.
• Devise and coordinate marketing and government relations initiatives to increase Shield AI’s visibility and influence.
• Plan and execute product demonstrations for prospective customers and partners
• Customer interface with Embassy, MDAO, JMOD, ATLA, Government entities to include think tanks, academia, and local defense industry
• Work cross-functionally to address customer needs and provide tailored responses.
• Lead and coordinate proposal responses and follow through to contract award.
• Develop and implement offset strategies and identify and execute other U. S. defense prime offset obligations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date opportunity tracking in Salesforce and other business systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent military education.
• Exceptional communicator: Fluent in both Japanese and English with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills and the ability to engage seamlessly at all levels of business and government.
• Charismatic leader who can motivate, inspire, and impart excitement about Shield AI’s mission, technology, and products with the desire to help build the defining defense technology company of this century.
• Thorough understanding of Japan military operations and acquisition processes with the ability to maintain strong customer relationships.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a track record of meeting and exceeding critical goals and deadlines.
• Proven leadership and/or acquisition and operational experience within the U. S. DoD or international equivalents and demonstrated understanding of Japan Air, Ground, Maritime Self-Defense Force equivalent operational scenarios and systems.
• Technical knowledge within UAV and/or AI disciplines, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.
• Willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally, frequently and without restriction, including to customer sites.
• Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate effectively while also being direct and forthright.
• Proficient in business systems and tools required for high-performance operations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree is highly valued
• Prior strategy or business development experience in international defense markets.
• Business development experience in UAV, AI, or other defense-related technology contexts.
• Strong research and analysis skills.

Our international team members are employed through our Employer of Record (EOR) and receive a comprehensive international benefits package on top of base salary. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.