Business Development Lead - Poland & Eastern Europe (m/w/d)

Alpine Eagle is a European defence technology company specialising in advanced aerospace engineering and machine learning, and the pioneer of the first airborne, swarm-based counter-drone system. Recent conflicts have demonstrated the accelerating threat posed by unmanned systems and the limitations of existing ground-based defences. Our mission is to equip governments and institutions committed to the rule of law with decisive, next-generation capabilities to counter emerging aerial threats.

We are seeking a Business Development Lead to build and monetise Alpine Eagle’s presence across priority defence and security markets including Poland & Eastern Europe. This is a high-autonomy, outcome-driven role for an entrepreneurial business development leader who can open closed ecosystems, build credible local pathways with primes and integrators, and convert access into funded trials and procurements.

 

The Role

You will own business development outcomes across Poland & Eastern Europe, dynamically prioritising effort based on traction, timing, and opportunity size. You will be expected to operate effectively both inside and around formal defence procurement pathways, shaping requirements early while actively pursuing near-term pilots, demonstrations, and partner-led routes to market.

 

🎯 How you will make an impact:

• Develop and execute Alpine Eagle’s regional business development strategy across Poland & Eastern Europe, actively reallocating focus as opportunities evolve.
• Originate, progress, and close opportunities, including funded trials, demonstrations, services, partnerships, and procurements, alongside longer-cycle national programmes.
• Build senior and working-level relationships across ministries of defence, armed forces, procurement agencies, security stakeholders, and relevant NATO-adjacent organisations.
• Establish and manage teaming and partner pathways with local primes, integrators, and OEMs, including approaches to industrial participation and local content expectations where relevant.
• Shape customer understanding of the operational problem space and Alpine Eagle’s role within it, rather than reacting solely to published requirements or RFPs.
• Lead capture strategies where appropriate, including early positioning, teaming discussions, bid strategy, and proposal input, without reliance on large internal bid teams.
• Act as a direct conduit of market signal into Alpine Eagle’s product, strategy, and prioritisation decisions, translating customer needs into actionable inputs.
• Represent Alpine Eagle at key regional events, government engagements, and partner discussions, maintaining a consistent narrative and professional credibility.

 

✅ What you need to be successful:

• Significant experience in defence or security business development, capture, or partnerships, with clear evidence of self-directed opportunity creation.
• Experience working across more than one national market; familiarity with Poland and/or the Nordics/Baltics is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to create traction without incumbency, without inbound leads, and without reliance on a large internal bid machine.
• Strong understanding of defence procurement dynamics and an ability to operate pragmatically inside formal processes while also pursuing non-standard routes to funded trials and early adoption.
• Proven ability to build and manage partnerships with primes, integrators, and OEMs, and to navigate the commercial realities of teaming.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with credibility at senior government and industry levels.
• Fluency in English and Polish is essential; other relevant regional languages are a strong advantage.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the region.

 

This role offers significant autonomy within a clearly defined strategic direction, and is best suited to individuals who are comfortable setting priorities, building structure, and driving outcomes in a dynamic environment. Above all, we value strategic insight, defence-sector expertise, and passion for delivering innovative solutions that bolster national and global security.

Alpine Eagle is deeply committed to diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity.