Business Development Manager
Zürich - Switzerland
Job Summary
Do you want to contribute to Western resilience Do you want to protect people and critical infrastructure ultimately saving lives
Do you want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems
Join us at CDDS to bring high-speed kinetic interceptor drones into the hands of armed forces law enforcement agencies and critical infrastructure operators.
CDDS specialises in developing low-collateral kinetic interceptors designed to neutralise malicious drones (Mavic drones FPV racing drones and fast fixed-wing drones). Our solutions are built for precision and safety minimising risk to the surrounding area while effectively countering unauthorised or threatening unmanned aerial systems. We work at the cutting edge of counter-drone technology delivering reliable protection for critical assets and environments.
Your Mission
We are looking for a Business Development Manager to help grow CDDSs business from Switzerland across selected European and global markets. Your main focus will be identifying prospective customers and partners opening new conversations qualifying leads and turning early interest into well-defined opportunities. Working closely with our engineering product operations and leadership teams you will connect customer needs with CDDSs capabilities and help build a strong sustainable commercial pipeline.
Help grow CDDSs business in selected European and global markets by building a healthy pipeline of prospective customers and partners.
Research and identify relevant organisations programmes decision-makers and potential partners across defence law enforcement critical infrastructure and the wider security ecosystem.
Generate and qualify leads through targeted outreach procurement monitoring referrals industry networks events and inbound enquiries.
Conduct initial discovery conversations to understand customer needs stakeholders timelines budgets and next steps and document clear qualification criteria.
Build trusted relationships with prospective customers and partners maintain regular follow-up and create momentum from first contact to active opportunity.
Keep CRM records lead statuses contact information and follow-up actions accurate and current providing clear visibility of the developing pipeline.
Coordinate customer meetings demonstrations and events with engineering product and operations teams prepare relevant commercial materials and manage follow-up actions.
Support responses to requests for information proposals and public tenders by coordinating inputs and ensuring opportunities continue to progress.
Work with leadership to prioritise qualified opportunities and support them through trials proposals contract discussions and handover to delivery teams.
2 years of experience in business development sales partnerships market development or a related customer-facing role ideally in defence security public-sector technology or another technical B2B environment.
Demonstrated ability to identify prospects conduct outreach build relationships and convert early conversations into qualified opportunities.
Strong research and commercial curiosity with the ability to understand an organisation identify relevant stakeholders and recognise where CDDS can create value.
Confident communication and presentation skills including the ability to explain technical capabilities in clear customer and operational terms.
Professional proficiency in English.
A structured approach to CRM follow-up prioritisation and pipeline management with attention to detail and reliable execution.
A proactive hands-on mindset and the ability to collaborate effectively with technical and operational colleagues in a fast-moving startup.
Based in Switzerland with eligibility to work in Switzerland and availability to travel regularly for customer meetings demonstrations and events.
Nice to have
Previous experience with UAS counter-UAS autonomous systems air defence or related defence and security technologies.
Experience working with armed forces law enforcement agencies critical infrastructure operators government customers or defence and security partners.
Familiarity with European defence and public-sector ecosystems procurement processes or industry networks.
Experience in a startup or scale-up environment or in bringing an emerging technical product to new customers and markets.
Why CDDS
Direct impact on a mission-critical technology shaping Europes security landscape
Fast-moving startup environment with high ownership
Work with a highly technical ambitious and hands-on team
Real-world testing deployments and customer demonstrations
Attractive compensation
Details
Location: Zurich on site
Start date: ASAP
Environment: Highimpact deeptech startup working on real deployments