About Alta Ares
Alta Ares is a deeptech startup founded in 2024, building real-time AI for defense operations (ISR, C-UAS). Our primary clients are NATO-aligned militaries, with regular deployments during live exercises. Raised €2M pre-seed in May 2025 Products include:
* Real-time AI ISR module deployable on drones and tactical platforms
* Counter-UAS solution enabling autonomous drone takeover under GNSS-denied environment
* Full-stack MLOps platform for training & deploying military-grade AI models
* Data fusion and trajectory prediction
Position details
* Location: UK-based (UK), mobility required
* Reports to: CEO and Executive Board/Comex
* Position objective: Drive Alta Ares’ commercial expansion across the United Kingdom by securing defense contracts, building relationships with procurement agencies, and positioning Alta Ares as a category-defining leader in AI-enabled defense systems. We are looking for a high-performance sales leader with a strong background in the defense industry, ideally with experience in neoprimes or advanced defense tech companies.
* Contract: CDI (permanent contract)
Role & Mission
Defense Sales & Business Development
* Own the sales pipeline across UK MOD, procurement agencies, and armed forces
* Lead qualification, opportunity shaping, proposal management, and contract negotiations
* Identify and drive multi-million programs across ISR, C-UAS, autonomy, and AI
* Establish a repeatable sales motion with clear forecasting and metrics
* Convert tactical demos and pilot deployments into scalable contracts
Customer & Partner Relationships
* Build trusted relationships with military users, procurement officers, and program managers
* Engage with primes, neoprimes, integrators, and defense engineering firms
* Develop and manage channel partnerships where relevant
* Conduct regular on-site visits, field demos, and customer workshops across Europe
Market Expansion & Strategic Development
* Map European defense markets: budgets, procurement cycles, capability gaps
* Shape requirements for upcoming tenders and influence capability roadmaps
* Provide competitive intelligence and product feedback to engineering & founders
* Support localization strategies for key European countries
Cross-functional Collaboration
* Work closely with Engineering, Product, and Operations teams to align demos, deployments, and delivery
* Help refine pricing strategy, sales collateral, and customer-facing documentation
* Contribute to showcasing Alta Ares at major defense exhibitions (Eurosatory, DSEI, MSPO, IDEX, etc.)
Requirements
Candidate profile
* 5–10 years of experience in defense sales, business development, capture management, or program engagement
* Strong track record selling to MODs, procurement agencies, or armed forces
* Experience in defense tech companies, primes, or ideally neoprimes (e.g., Anduril, Helsing, Palantir, Shield AI, or equivalent)
* Deep understanding of defense procurement cycles and bidding processes
* Demonstrated ability to close complex deals in multi-stakeholder environments
* Experience working with drones, C-UAS, ISR, AI autonomy, or adjacent systems is a major plus
Skills & Qualities
* Strong hunter profile with resilience and deal-making mindset
* Ability to translate technical capabilities into operational value
* Excellent relationship-building with military and technical stakeholders
* High integrity, discretion, and understanding of security culture
* Entrepreneurial spirit: able to operate in fast-moving, resource-efficient environments
* Bilingual English + another European language (French strongly preferred)
Nice to Have
* Experience in a neoprime or high-growth defense startup
* Experience in NATO procurement or European Defence Fund (EDF) programs
* Former military service (officer or NCO)
* Knowledge of operational C-UAS, ISR, or AI workflows
* Existing network inside European MODs and procurement bodies
* Ability to support deployments and demos in live environments