Strategic BD Lead – Defence Tech & Counter-UAS

CDDS AG; Zürich; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Travel opportunities

Job summary

CDDS AG is seeking a Business Development Manager to grow our Swiss and European markets with a focus on identifying prospects, opening conversations, and turning interest into defined opportunities. You will collaborate with engineering, product, operations and leadership to align customer needs with CDDS capabilities and build a strong commercial pipeline.

You will research organisations, decision-makers and partners in defence, security and critical infrastructure, manage CRM records, and

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in business development, sales, partnerships, market development, or a related customer-facing role.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Grow CDDS's 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.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Relationship building

CRM

Communication skills

Tools

CRM software

Lead generation tools

Job description

CDDS AG is seeking a Business Development Manager to grow our Swiss and European markets with a focus on identifying prospects, opening conversations, and turning interest into defined opportunities. You will collaborate with engineering, product, operations and leadership to align customer needs with CDDS capabilities and build a strong commercial pipeline.

You will research organisations, decision-makers and partners in defence, security and critical infrastructure, manage CRM records, and