HEAD OF SALES

Mindtrace.ai; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Mindtrace.ai is seeking a Head of Sales to lead our commercial strategy and scale a high-growth enterprise sales team. You will drive direct contracts with major manufacturers and collaborate with hardware and software integrators to enable channel partnerships.

You will nurture a consultative value-selling approach, manage complex licensing deals, and expand into automotive/EV, aerospace, defense, and heavy manufacturing markets while traveling up to 40%.

Qualifications

• Proven B2B enterprise software or industrial technology sales leadership.
• Experience scaling a sales team in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Experience structuring and negotiating complex software licensing deals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial strategy and scale the sales organization.
• Drive direct enterprise sales contracts with major manufacturers and key partners.
• Develop channel and integrator enablement programs for a scalable ecosystem.
• Negotiate complex licensing and value-based contracts for pilot-to-production deployments.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Operations to align market approach.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Industrial sector expertise

Player/coach

Complex solution selling

AI/edge computing basics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

MBA or technical Master’s degree

Job description

Why does this opening exist?

Mindtrace is transforming industrial manufacturing through agentic intelligence and edge-deployed software. Our core platform, NeuroForge™, moves industrial facilities from passive process monitoring to active, closed-loop autonomous orchestration (such as real-time laser welding optimization and advanced defect inspection). Building on established technological foundations and significant venture backing, Mindtrace is scaling its commercial engine to capture the massive industrial automation market.

We are seeking an ambitious, results-driven Head of Sales to lead our commercial strategy, scale our sales team, and drive direct enterprise sales while building robust enablement pathways for major hardware and software integrators. This leader will play a critical role in taking our disruptive industrial AI platform to market across core verticals like automotive/EV, aerospace, defense, and heavy manufacturing.

Key Objectives

• Scale and Lead the Commercial Function: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing sales team, establishing clear processes, targets, and accountability metrics.

• Drive Direct Enterprise Sales: Act as a player/coach to secure high-value direct contracts with major manufacturers, while laying the groundwork for scalable channel and integrator enablement.

• Target High-Impact Verticals: Focus on B2B enterprise sales within automotive/EV, aerospace, defense, and heavy industries manufacturing.

• Consultative Value Selling: Navigate complex enterprise buying cycles, educating the market on the shift from monitoring to autonomous orchestration and solving critical shop-floor pain points.

• Ecosystem Partnership Alignment: Collaborate closely with hardware and software integrators to position Mindtrace as the universal intelligence layer for next-generation production lines.

What are we looking for?

• Proven Commercial Leadership: Experience scaling a young, high-growth sales team in a B2B technology environment.

• Industrial Sector Expertise: Deep domain understanding of manufacturing environments, quality inspection, factory automation, or industrial IoT.

• Player/Coach Mentality: Willingness to lead from the front—generating pipelines, negotiating complex licensing deals, and closing enterprise contracts alongside executive leadership.

• Complex Solution Selling: Experience selling disruptive, high-value software/AI platforms rather than off-the-shelf products.

• Technical & Commercial Bridge: Strong foundational understanding of AI/ML, edge computing constraints, and on-premise industrial software deployments.

Ideal Background & Experience

• Start-up/Scale-up Experience: Proven track record in an early-stage, high-growth business scaling from early traction to repeatable revenue.

• Direct Sales & Partner Enablement: Strong history of direct enterprise selling with a strategic vision for enabling channel partners and integrators over time.

• Licensing & Complex Contracts: Experience structuring and negotiating enterprise software licensing agreements, pilot-to-production contracts, or value-based/performance-as-a-service models.

• Industry Networks: Existing relationships or deep familiarity with key players in automotive, aerospace, defense, or heavy manufacturing sectors.

Personal Attributes

• High Energy & Drive: Thrives in a fast-paced, results-focused scale-up environment with a high degree of autonomy.

• Strategic Thinker & Hunter: Balances long-term market building with short-term pipeline execution and deal closing.

• Strong Emotional Intelligence: Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to navigate complex corporate hierarchies and factory-floor realities.

• Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and evolving product-market dynamics.

Location & Travel

• Location: US Midwest region or Detroit area (remote/hybrid within the target industrial hub).

• Travel Requirements: Up to 40% travel to visit customer plants, manufacturing sites, and key industry partners.

Reporting To

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (with close cross-functional collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Operations).

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree: Required in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.

• Preferred: An MBA or technical Master’s degree is a strong plus, particularly for bridging conversations with engineering-led manufacturing clients and technical integrators.

Experience Requirements

• Total Professional Experience: 8–12+ years of B2B enterprise software or complex industrial technology sales experience.

• Leadership Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years building, leading, and scaling a high-performing sales or business development team in a startup or high-growth scale-up environment.

Why is this a great opportunity?

This is a brand-new role and a key appointment for the business. You will engage with the leadership in driving the future of the product. Mindtrace is an exceptionally exciting company with the financial backing and technology to begin on an extraordinary trajectory of growth, making a real impact in the market.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.