Business Development Representative - Southern Europe H/H

ABOUT ALTA ARES Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. ROLE & MISSION Business Development & Pipeline Generation - Build and manage a qualified pipeline across Southern Europe - Identify and engage key stakeholders across MODs, armed forces, procurement agencies, and defense companies - Conduct targeted outbound prospecting through email, phone, events, and industry networks - Research accounts, programs, procurement cycles, and decision-makers to identify new opportunities - Qualify prospects and convert them into meetings, demos, and active sales opportunities - Maintain accurate CRM data, pipeline tracking, and business development metrics - Work closely with the Sales Director and senior BD team to progress qualified opportunities Customer & Partner Relationships - Build relationships with military users, procurement officers, program managers, primes, and integrators - Identify and develop potential local industry and channel partnerships - Support customer meetings, product briefings, demonstrations, and workshops - Provide market intelligence, competitive insights, and customer feedback to the BD, Product, Engineering, and leadership teams - Represent Alta Ares at defense exhibitions, conferences, and industry events across Southern Europe Market Expansion & Strategic Development - Map Southern European defense markets, key accounts, programs, and procurement opportunities - Track defense budgets, tenders, exercises, and capability requirements - Identify opportunities across C-UAS, ISR, autonomy, AI, and air defense CANDIDATE PROFILE - 1–4 years of experience in business development, sales development, defense, technology, consulting, or a related field - Proven ability to prospect, research accounts, generate meetings, and build pipeline - Strong hunter mindset with persistence and resilience - Strong interest in defense, aerospace, AI, or national security - Familiarity with the Southern European defense ecosystem - Strong communication and relationship-building skills - Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable with outbound prospecting - Fluent English and strong proficiency in a Southern European language; Italian or Spanish preferred - Willingness to travel regularly across Southern Europe NICE TO HAVE - Experience in defense, aerospace, dual-use technology, AI, or a high-growth startup - Existing network within Southern European defense organizations or industry - Familiarity with NATO and European defense procurement - Experience with drones, C-UAS, ISR, autonomy, AI, or air defense - Experience with CRM and sales engagement tools - Additional European languages - Former military experience