Shield AI
deep-tech
X-BATBusinessDevelopmentDirector,MiddleEast
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Senior candidates.
“X-BAT Business Development Director, Middle East at Shield AI. Skills: business development, sales, defense acquisition, air platforms, autonomy. Drive Strategic Capture: Identify, shape, and capture high-value opportunities across Middle Eastern next-gen airpower programs relevant to CCAs and autonomy.. Drive Regional Sales Pipeline: Lead the full business development lifecycle for CCA-focused efforts, from customer engagement through proposal, negotiation, and contract award.”
Industry & Context.
Willingness to live in regional (preferably Abu Dhabi), travel extensively across the Middle East (30–50%)
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
15+ years in a relevant air force occupation, 3–5+ years of experience in defense acquisition, business development, sales, or strategy, ideally with a focus on air platforms or autonomy, 5+ years of experience in region either operationally or from a defense business perspective track record of capturing and closing defense programs or tech insertions with relevant ministries of Defense or multinational frameworks, Understanding of next-gen air combat trends, including CCAs, MUM-T, and AI-enabled CONOPS, Ability to credibly represent technically complex products to both strategic and operational-level audiences, Familiarity with key regional acquisition pathways, Willingness to live in regional (preferably Abu Dhabi) and to travel extensively across the Middle East (30–50%)
Nice to Have
preference for real-world operational experience flying tactical fighter aircraft with a technical background
What You'll Do.
Drive Strategic Capture: Identify
and capture high-value opportunities across Middle Eastern next-gen airpower programs relevant to CCAs and autonomy.
Drive Regional Sales Pipeline: Lead the full business development lifecycle for CCA-focused efforts
from customer engagement through proposal
Shape Requirements & CONOPS: Influence customer requirements and future CCA CONOPS to align with Shield AI’s product offerings.
Support Demonstrations & Campaigns: Lead Shield AI’s positioning and participation in regional flight demos
Inform Product Direction: Provide field intelligence to guide feature development
and roadmap priorities for Hivemind-enabled CCA solutions.
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Collaborate closely with engineering, product, legal, and program teams to align technical solutions with customer needs and delivery requirements.
Communication Scope
Ability to credibly represent technically complex products to both strategic and operational-level audiences
Full Job Description
## 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 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. ## What you'll do Drive Strategic Capture: Identify, shape, and capture high-value opportunities across Middle Eastern next-gen airpower programs relevant to CCAs and autonomy. Drive Regional Sales Pipeline: Lead the full business development lifecycle for CCA-focused efforts, from customer engagement through proposal, negotiation, and contract award. Engage Key Stakeholders: Build and maintain trusted relationships with Ministries of Defence, defense primes, integrators, and key partners. Shape Requirements & CONOPS: Influence customer requirements and future CCA CONOPS to align with Shield AI’s product offerings. Support Demonstrations & Campaigns: Lead Shield AI’s positioning and participation in regional flight demos, technical trials, and program pilots. Coordinate Cross-Functionally: Collaborate closely with engineering, product, legal, and program teams to align technical solutions with customer needs and delivery requirements. Inform Product Direction: Provide field intelligence to guide feature development, integration strategy, and roadmap priorities for Hivemind-enabled CCA solutions. ## Required qualifications 15+ years in a relevant air force occupation, bringing significant depth of understanding of relevant CONOPs and platform applications (preference for real-world operational experience flying tactical fighter aircraft with a strong technical background). 3–5+ years of experience in defense acquisition, business development,
Applying for this X-BAT Business Development Director, Middle East role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on Lever
- Lever uses a streamlined one-page form — apply in under 5 minutes.
- LinkedIn import works well; review parsed data before submitting.
- The cover letter field is optional but visible to reviewers — use it to differentiate.
- Referral codes from employees can significantly boost visibility of your application.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about Shield AI?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.