Business Development Representative - VIE Canada

Alta Ares is an air defense neoprime that builds AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions. Founded in 2024, the company has grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. This VIE is Alta Ares' commercial entry point in Canada, owning commercial development within Canada's defence industrial ecosystem, based in Ottawa, close to DND, PSPC, ISED and the Canadian industrial base.

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, and develop strategic partnership and sales opportunities with Canada's leading defence primes and systems integrators; Build deep, multi-level relationships within each account; Structure and negotiate teaming agreements, MoUs, subcontracting arrangements, and co-development frameworks; Identify joint bid opportunities on Canadian and NATO programmes; Manage the full account lifecycle from first contact to signed contract, with pipeline reporting to leadership; Map Canada's defence industrial landscape and DND procurement priorities; Track NORAD modernisation, Arctic surveillance, and Canadian C-UAS and ISR capability gaps; Monitor Canadian defence policy developments; Identify Canadian innovation programmes and funding mechanisms (IDEaS, DRDC, NRC); Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations to the GM North America and top management; Develop working relationships with DND, PSPC, and ISED programme officers; Engage with Canadian defence innovation bodies and industry associations (CADSI); Represent Alta Ares at key Canadian defence events (CANSEC, Ottawa Defence and Security, NATO industry forums); Support Canadian-specific partnership structures satisfying ITB policy and Canadian content requirements; Work with Engineering and Product in Paris on demos, technical proposals, and delivery commitments; Prepare and deliver capability briefings, product demonstrations, and technical presentations for Canadian industrial audiences; Coordinate US-Canada cross-border programme opportunities; Support export compliance (French AECA, Canadian export controls (EIPA), ITAR end-user requirements); Brief leadership regularly on pipeline status, account developments, and strategic risks

Requirements

4–7 years of experience in defence business development, account management, or industrial partnerships in the Canadian market (mandatory); Proven track record building and managing relationships with Canadian defence primes or DND/PSPC procurement teams; Experience navigating Canadian defence industrial policy: ITB requirements, Canadian content frameworks, and ISED engagement; Familiarity with major Canadian defence programmes: NORAD modernisation, Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, RCAF platform upgrades, or equivalent; English fluency (mandatory); Deep understanding of Canada's defence industrial culture; Commercial drive combined with patience; Organised and rigorous: able to manage complex multi-stakeholder accounts, track pipeline accurately, and report clearly to a remote HQ; Entrepreneurial and autonomous; High integrity and discretion; Comfortable working across Canadian and European cultural and operational contexts simultaneously; VIE Eligibility: French or EU nationality (mandatory); Aged 18 to 28 at mission start; No prior VIE with the same company

Nice to have

Background in C-UAS, ISR, AI autonomy, UAS, or adjacent technologies; Prior experience in a neoprime or advanced defence tech company; French proficiency (strong plus)