Shield AI is seeking a driven and mission focused Business Development Manager to drive growth across the United States Marine Corps (USMC) enterprise by delivering autonomous systems that solve real operational challenges for the warfighter.
This role owns the USMC pipeline and bookings target across Shield AI’s autonomy software and unmanned systems portfolio. You will drive opportunities from initial engagement through contract award, partnering with USMC stakeholders and internal teams to convert operational needs into funded procurement. This is a quota-carrying role with significant upside tied directly to USMC revenue growth.
The ideal candidate is a high energy seller who thrives in complex defense sales environments and is motivated by building pipeline, advancing opportunities, and closing deals that deliver real operational capability.
This role partners closely with Shield AI’s growth team which includes former senior military leaders who provide strategic insight, acquisition expertise, and access across the USMC ecosystem. While the growth team supports market strategy and introductions, the Business Development Manager owns opportunity execution and revenue outcomes.
This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in high ownership environments and are motivated by building new markets and closing complex deals.
What you'll do:
- Own and execute the USMC go-to-market strategy to drive pipeline creation, opportunity advancement, and bookings across Shield AI’s full product portfolio.
- Carry full accountability for the USMC revenue number, including pipeline health, opportunity progression, forecast accuracy, and closed bookings.
- Identify, shape, and pursue new opportunities across USMC program offices, operational units, and modernization initiatives.
- Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of USMC opportunities from early engagement through contract award.
- Own the full sales cycle from initial engagement through contract award with accountability for closing revenue and achieving USMC quota targets.
- Work directly with USMC stakeholders to translate operational challenges into funded procurement opportunities that deploy Shield AI capabilities into the field.
- Operate with urgency to advance opportunities and accelerate the transition of Shield AI capabilities from evaluation to program of record.
- Develop trusted relationships with USMC program managers, operational leaders, and acquisition stakeholders.
- Partner with Shield AI growth advisors who provide USMC domain expertise, acquisition insight, and senior level access.
- Coordinate internal teams including engineering, product, program management, and capture resources to support opportunity execution.
- Lead opportunity strategy and deal progression including shaping customer requirements, developing capture plans, and supporting proposal efforts.
- Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting and revenue projections.
- Drive adoption of fielded capabilities that deliver immediate operational value to USMC customers.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and experience in defense sales, business development, or military operations.
- Demonstrated ability to independently build pipeline and close deals in complex government sales environments.
- Experience working with USMC customers, program offices, or operational units.
- Strong understanding of military operations and familiarity with Department of Defense procurement processes.
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously and drive deals through long and complex sales cycles.
- Strong communication and relationship building skills with both technical and operational stakeholders.
- Ability to translate operational needs into solution driven sales opportunities.
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI Clearance – Active Secret or Top Secret Clearance preferred.
- Located near major USMC commands with travel up to 50% of the time to additional USMC installations and program offices.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and experience in defense sales, business development, or military operations
- Demonstrated ability to independently build pipeline and close deals in complex government sales environments
- Experience working with USMC customers, program offices, or operational units
- Strong understanding of military operations and familiarity with Department of Defense procurement processes
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities and drive deals through long, complex sales cycles
- Strong communication and relationship building skills with technical and operational stakeholders
- Ability to translate operational needs into solution-driven sales opportunities
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
- Located near major USMC commands and able to travel up to 50% to installations and program offices
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
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.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
