Senior Manager, International Strategic Engagement - Europe & Africa (R4330) na Shield AI

What you'll do:

• In this role, you will report into the regional Senior Director based out of Oslo, Norway, and work closely with both the Europe & Africa and U.S. teams to advance Shield AI’s partnerships, programs, and business opportunities. You will serve as one of the company’s primary U.S.-based representatives for Europe & Africa-related efforts, helping to ensure seamless coordination between international stakeholders and Shield AI’s domestic operations, and to strengthen the company’s relationships across the defense, aerospace, and technology ecosystems. 

Required qualifications:

• Active U.S. Department of War Secret security clearance. 
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area. 
• Exceptional communicator: strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage seamlessly across government, military, and industry audiences. 
• Charismatic leader with the ability to motivate and inspire others while conveying Shield AI’s mission, technology, and products. 
• Deep understanding of U.S. and allied defense acquisition processes and how they relate to international collaboration and export frameworks. 
• 10+ years of relevant military, defense industry, international business, and/or high-growth tech start-up experience with a clear track record of top performance. 
• Proven ability to manage high-level stakeholder engagements, including senior defense officials, embassy representatives, and foreign delegations. 
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a track record of exceeding goals and delivering impact across cross-functional teams. 
• Strong cultural fluency and ability to work effectively with international partners across Europe & Africa. 
• Demonstrated understanding or strong technical curiosity in UAV and/or AI autonomy systems. 
• Willing and able to travel periodically, both domestically (for major demos, facility visits, and events) and internationally (for key meetings or trade shows). 
• Ability to collaborate closely with Shield AI’s Chief Growth Officer, Chief Technology Officer, International EVP, the Europe & Africa regional leadership, and other U.S.-based leadership teams. 
• Team-oriented, with the ability to balance collaborative communication with direct, forthright input. 
• Proficient in the systems and tools required to operate at the speed of business. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Specific experience supporting Europe and/or Africa markets from a U.S.-based government or defense industry role. 
• Prior UAV, autonomy, or AI-related business development experience. 
• MBA or related Master’s degree in international affairs, plus 10+ years of leadership and/or operational experience within the U.S. DoD or international equivalents. 
• Familiarity with Europe/Africa and U.S. defense cooperation frameworks, foreign military sales (FMS), offset, and technology-transfer pathways. 
• Strong research and analysis skills. 
• Relevant foreign language skills (e.g., French, German, Spanish, Italian). 
• Either active or ability to obtain U.S. Department of War Top Secret / SCI clearances.