Business Development Manager - 100%

Tethys Robotics; Schlieren; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International travel

Modern Zurich area office

Flat hierarchies

Ownership & fast decision-making

Job summary

Tethys Robotics is an ETH Zürich spin-off developing underwater robotics for subsea inspection and offshore operations. We are expanding internationally and seek a driven, entrepreneurial sales professional to scale the business in Europe and beyond.

You will own the full sales cycle from prospecting to closing, lead negotiations, and build long-term relationships with decision-makers across defense, maritime security and offshore energy sectors. Travel is international.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of proven customer-facing experience in B2B sales or related roles with sophisticated products.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities; intercultural competence.
• Technical understanding and affinity for operating complex systems, ideally in robotics or maritime tech.
• Experience in managing sales pipelines and CRM processes, preferably HubSpot.
• Fluency in professional English; other languages advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own the full sales cycle in priority markets: prospecting, outreach, and closing deals.
• Lead contract negotiations and ensure deals are completed.
• Represent technology at customer visits, online meetings, trade shows, and field demos.
• Build long-term relationships with decision-makers and provide market insights to the team.
• Co-develop go-to-market and partner strategies with the biz team and management.
• Develop tailored proposals with engineering and biz teams.

Skills

Customer-facing experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Intercultural competence

HubSpot CRM

Fluent in English

Technical affinity for robotics

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

HubSpot

Job description

Tethys Robotics develops innovative robotic solutions for subsea inspection & investigation operations in challenging conditions. We serve clients such as governmental organizations, large asset operators and industrial service providers operating in high-demand and mission-critical environments.

As an ETH Zürich spin-off, we are a fast-growing pioneer in underwater robotics, rooted in Switzerland. Backed by strong funding and entering an exciting phase of international growth, we are looking for a driven and entrepreneurial person to help scale Tethys Robotics.

Tasks

This is not just about selling robots. You will take on a three-in-one role across sales, business development, and key account management, understanding customer problems, building long-term trust, running demonstrations in the field, closing complex deals, and bringing operational feedback back into the product.

Working side by side with our founders, engineers, and partners, you will help bring our underwater robots into real-world operations across defense, maritime security and offshore energy. Expect a hands-on role with international travel, live demos, trade shows, and customer visits in challenging operational environments.

We are looking for someone with high ownership, strong people skills, curiosity for robotics, and the ambition to help build something that has not really been done before. If you are excited by cutting-edge technology, enjoy working with people, and want to grow fast in a startup environment, we would love to hear from you.

Your Contribution

• Own the full sales cycle in our priority markets: from prospecting and active outreach to closing deals.
• Lead contract negotiations and take responsibility for bringing deals across the finish line.
• Represent our technology where it counts: customer visits, online meetings, international trade shows, and live demonstrations in the field.
• Build long-term relationships with decision-makers, bring market insights back into the team, and help position Tethys Robotics successfully within our target markets.
• Co-develop go-to-market and partner strategies together with the biz team and management (e.g. resellers, agencies, distributors).
• Develop tailored proposals in close collaboration with our engineering and biz team

Requirements

• 2-5 years of proven customer-facing experience in B2B sales, consulting, project management or similar roles with technologically sophisticated products
• Excellent communication skills, strong negotiation abilities, and intercultural competence, convincing personality with a talent for winning people over
• Technical understanding and affinity for operating complex systems, ideally in the fields of robotics, sensor technology, or maritime technologies (ideally with an engineering degree)
• Persistent, structured and comfortable owning your outcomes end-to-end with strong experience in professionally managing sales pipelines and CRM processes, preferably in HubSpot
• Caring, curious and coachable, committed to continuous improvements
• Fluent in professional English, both written and spoken; any other language is a strong advantage
• Flexibility and ability for spontaneous national and international business travels in the field of the customers
• Driver's license is mandatory

And finally: Joy and ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up team and motivation to work in challenging outdoor conditions!

Bonus points if you bring:

• Ideally a strong and dependable network in the underwater segment or one of our industries
• Sales experience in maritime security, defense, robotics or offshore industries
• Fluent in professional German

Benefits

• A key role in one of Europe's most ambitious underwater robotics startups
• Direct collaboration with founders, engineers, and customers across maritime security and offshore energy
• Real ownership, fast decision-making, and the opportunity to shape both the company and your own role as we scale
• A dynamic, high-performance team with a strong builder mentality and flat hierarchies
• An international work environment with customers and partners around the globe
• Frequent international travel, field demonstrations, and trade shows
• A modern office in the Zurich area, close to both the city and the lake

We value diversity:

Tethys Robotics encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all are respected.

Curious? So are we!

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of reference / work certificates
• Education certificates