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