SOF Business Growth Lead (Autonomous Defense)

Harmattan AI; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmattan AI, a next‑generation defense prime, seeks a SOCOM Business Developer to drive growth within the U.S. Special Operations ecosystem.

You will own opportunity capture, build relationships across SOF units and acquisition, and lead demos of Harmattan AI’s autonomous systems. You will manage the full sales cycle from outreach to contract, run field demonstrations and evaluations, and translate feedback into actionable insights for internal teams, shaping programs from OTAs to funded

Qualifications

• 3+ years in business development or defense sales within the U.S. market.
• Experience with SOCOM or strong exposure to SOF.
• Familiarity with defense technologies such as UAS, C-UAS, autonomy, or advanced sensors.
• Proven ability to navigate complex procurement environments and close multi‑stakeholder deals.
• Strong understanding of Army procurement processes, OTA/IDIQ pathways, and DoD acquisition cycles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with senior military and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue opportunities across SOF units, TSOCs, and SOCOM components.
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline and drive demos/evaluations.
• Convert field feedback into actionable insights and align with R&D/product teams.

Skills

BD experience

SOCOM/SOF exposure

defense tech knowledge

complex procurement

OTA/IDIQ knowledge

communication skills

proactive mindset

Job description

About Us

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.

About Us

Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.

Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.

About The Role

We are seeking a SOCOM Business Developer to drive growth within the U.S. Special Operations ecosystem.

USSOCOM operates with rapid acquisition cycles and strong operator influence. This role is key to turning field engagement into funded programs and deployments.

You will own opportunity capture, build relationships across SOF units and acquisition, and lead demos of Harmattan AI’s autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

Business Development

• Identify and pursue opportunities across SOF units, TSOCs, and SOCOM components
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline
• Convert demos and evaluations into OTAs and funded programs
  
  

Sales & Engagement

• Own the full sales cycle (operator → contract)
• Run demos and operational evaluations
• Translate field feedback into actionable insights
  
  

Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships across United States Special Operations Command and key acquisition stakeholders
• Represent Harmattan at SOF events (e.g., SOF Week)
• Align closely with internal R&D and product teams
  
  

Candidate Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years in business development or defense sales within the U.S. market.
• Background: Experience with SOCOM or strong exposure to SOF
• Technical Understanding: Familiarity with defense technologies such as UAS, C-UAS, autonomy, or advanced sensors.
• Sales Skills: Proven ability to navigate complex procurement environments and close multi-stakeholder deals.
• Strategic Acumen: Strong understanding of Army procurement processes, OTA/IDIQ pathways, and DoD acquisition cycles.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to engage senior military and industry stakeholders with clarity and credibility.
• Mindset: Highly proactive, mission-driven, and adaptable to fast-changing priorities.
  
  

We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.