Business Development Lead

Company background

Swarmbotics AI is a low-cost, swarm robotics company for industry and defense.  We see a world of ubiquitous low-cost robots transforming almost all aspects of society, but we see an urgent need in the defense industry.  We focus on building swarms of robots that incorporate a low-cost BOM, an autonomous stack optimized for off the shelf components, and a global planner that enables swarm capabilities for groups of robots to accomplish sophisticated tasks.  

Our first product is a defense application building Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), collectively termed - Attritable, Networked, Tactical Swarm (ANTS).  Each UGV in ANTS is an independently-tasked, attritable robot designed for on-demand and autonomous mobility.  When operating as a swarm, ANTS is capable of executing more advanced and coordinated, high-level capabilities across a battlespace.  ANTS will help solve some of the DoD’s biggest problems that will save lives and increase defense capabilities.
Stephen Houghton and Drew Watson are the Founders and have decades of experience in self-driving cars and trucks, humanoids, and UAVs with experience from NASA, JPL, Cruise, Embark, McKinsey, Amazon, and the CIA. 

Position description

Swarmbotics is seeking a dynamic leader with a proven track record in Business Development for the Department of Defense.  This leader is key hire for the company and has an opportunity to shape the company’s strategic direction.  This leader should have deep experience working with a broad spectrum of DoD customers across the services.  Additionally, this leader should know target customers within the DoD and have strong connections and experience working with program offices.  The ideal candidate also has familiarity with the Defense Innovation ecosystem and experience guiding a product or company from early innovation to a program of record.  Preferred onsite, but role can be remote (preferred in DC area) with some travel to HQ in Phoenix, AZ

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of directly applicable experience leading business development, acquisitions, and/or capture teams for tech capabilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant DoD Programs and platforms, related enabling technologies, systems integration, communications, software development
• Ability to identify, establish and use important customer relationships with senior level officials and program stakeholders within the defense and intelligence community
• Excellent writing, communication skills with experience presenting to senior executives and customers
• Outstanding leader that builds a culture of trust, customer focus, innovation, and speed.  Should be comfortable working with teams across Engineering, Operations, and G&A
• Comfort working in the high-paced, fluid environment of a tech startup
• Excitement about contributing to the defense of the United States and its allies
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience in a defense tech startup
• Previous work selling software into DoD
• Experience working in autonomous systems and robotics
• DoD Program Management experience
• Prior military experience
• Engineering Degree
• Role can be remote (preferred in DC area) with some travel to HQ in Phoenix, AZ

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position. Swarmbotics is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, caste, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.