Symmetric Recruitment Ltd
Sales Director
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Sales Director Maritime Autonomous Systems (Defence & Special Operations)
Location: UK, remote or hybrid with regular travel (UK and Canada)
Base Salary: £75,000 - £100,000 DOE + Equity Shares + Benefits
The opportunity
A fast-growing marine USV technology company is bringing a new class of autonomous surface capability to allied defence markets. Its capabilities combine high-speed response with persistent, low-signature ISR in demanding sea states, and are available now for demonstration and trials.
This is a first-hire, build-the-market role.
What you'll do
- Build strategic relationships with UK primes and Tier 1 integrators, positioning the platform as a sensor-carrying, low-signature node within larger naval and autonomous systems programmes
- Develop the UK maritime special operations market, including the Special Boat Service and wider UKSF maritime capability, through end-user engagement, demonstrations and trials
- Grow business with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) and the Royal Canadian Navy, alongside Canadian primes and procurement bodies
- Identify primes bidding Canadian programmes that need Canadian industrial participation, and build teaming routes on the back of it
- Run demonstrations, sea trials and user evaluations, working closely with engineering to feed operator insight into the product roadmap
- Lead capture and bid activity, including teaming agreements, proposals and pricing inputs
- Represent the business at DSEI, SOF Week, CANSEC and uncrewed maritime events
- Own pipeline, forecasting and reporting to the leadership team
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What you'll bring
- A track record of winning new business in UK defence, ideally in maritime, uncrewed or ISR systems
- An established network across UK primes and the naval or special operations community
- Working knowledge of MOD, DE&S and UKSF procurement routes, with Canadian DND or ITB experience a strong advantage
- The credibility to engage operators, engineers and commercial decision makers equally well
- Comfort with export control regimes (UK Strategic Export Controls, Canadian Controlled Goods Program, ITAR awareness)
- An entrepreneurial, self-starting approach suited to an early-stage, scaling business
- Willingness to travel regularly, including to Canada
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Desirable
- Royal Navy, Royal Marines or SBS / SF background, particularly maritime
- Experience with USVs, UUVs, maritime ISR payloads or C4ISR integration
- Exposure to programmes such as maritime autonomy, littoral strike or port and harbour security
Applicants must be eligible for UK security clearance.
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