Senior Business Developer

Overview

AIKO is looking for a Senior Business Developer to accelerate the growth of its activities in France and contribute to the Group's business development efforts across Europe.

This is a highly proactive, revenue-oriented role for an experienced professional able to identify, qualify, develop and close new business opportunities across AIKO's full portfolio of space software, artificial intelligence and automation solutions.

The Senior Business Developer will own opportunities throughout the full business development cycle, from market intelligence and lead generation to proposal preparation, negotiation and contract signature.

The role requires a strong existing network in the French and European space ecosystem, a solid understanding of institutional and commercial procurement processes, and the ability to operate independently while collaborating closely with AIKO teams in France and Italy.

• Tasks
• Drive business development activities in France across AIKO's full portfolio of technologies and products, while contributing to Group-level commercial initiatives in coordination with the AIKO mission solution team.
• Proactively identify, qualify and develop new business opportunities with institutional and commercial customers, with a strong focus on generating revenue and securing new contracts.
• Own and manage opportunities throughout the full business development cycle, from prospecting and first contact to proposal preparation, negotiation and contract signature.
• Build, activate and expand a strong network across the French and European space ecosystem, including major industrial players, New Space companies, institutional customers, agencies and strategic partners.
• Lead and coordinate the preparation of high-quality commercial and institutional proposals, including responses to CNES, ESA and European Commission calls and tenders.
• Develop strategic partnerships and consortium opportunities that strengthen AIKO's positioning and access to new markets and customers.
• Work closely with engineering, product and management teams to translate AIKO's technical capabilities into compelling value propositions adapted to customer needs.
• Maintain an active and structured business pipeline, define account and opportunity strategies, and provide clear visibility on progress, priorities, risks and next actions.
• Represent AIKO at key industry events, conferences, customer meetings and networking opportunities in France and Europe, with the objective of generating and converting leads.
• Monitor market dynamics, customer needs, funding programmes and competitive developments to identify new growth opportunities and contribute to AIKO's commercial strategy.

Requirements

• Master's degree in engineering, business, aerospace, or another relevant technical or commercial field.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in business development, sales or a closely related commercial role within the space or aerospace sector.
• Proven ability to independently generate, develop and convert business opportunities, with a strong results-driven and revenue-oriented mindset.
• Strong existing network within the French space ecosystem, ideally including relationships with major industrial players, New Space companies, institutional customers and space agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and coordinating proposals for institutional programmes and calls, particularly CNES, ESA and/or European Commission opportunities.
• Solid understanding of the space market, its main stakeholders, procurement mechanisms, commercial cycles and institutional funding landscape.
• Ability to understand complex technical products and services and translate them into clear, customer-focused business value propositions.
• Excellent communication, writing, presentation and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage senior-level stakeholders.
• Highly proactive, autonomous, dynamic and accountable, with the ability to identify opportunities and drive them forward without requiring close supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in an international and cross-functional environment, collaborating closely with teams based in France and Italy.
• Native or fully professional proficiency in French and full professional proficiency in English.
• Preferred Experience
• Proven track record of winning and closing contracts in the French or European space sector.
• Hands-on experience leading complex bids, tenders and institutional proposals from opportunity identification through submission and negotiation.
• Established relationships with organizations such as CNES, ESA, the European Commission, major space primes and/or leading New Space companies.
• Experience selling software, AI, autonomy, onboard software, ground-segment solutions or other advanced deep-tech products to space-sector customers.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships, consortium structures or co-funded project opportunities.
• Experience working in a fast-growing SME, deep-tech company or New Space environment where autonomy, ownership and speed of execution are essential.
• Experience using CRM and pipeline-management tools to structure prospecting, opportunity follow-up and sales forecasting.

Benefits

AIKO provides the following benefits, in addition to the retribution

• Electronic restaurant tickets
• Health insurance with 50% of the cost paid by the company
• Flexible working hours, and remote working is available.
• Duvet Day
• Wellness Package (Gym and Psychotherapy)
• Access to courses for skills improvement
• Salary for the role: 45-55K + variable compensation on target

Hiring Process

The interview process for this role will somewhat look like

• 1st Stage: Interview with our People & Talent
• 2nd Stage: Interview with our France Country Manager & our Head of Mission Solutions

• We hopefully make you an offer!

DEI in AIKO

AIKO is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Research shows that women or people belonging to minorities often don't apply to roles they don't feel they match 100% of the requirements. If this posting is interesting to you, we encourage you to apply even if it is not a perfect match! We are looking for real people, not robots!

About us

AIKO is a cutting-edge deep-tech company founded in 2017 . We specialize in developing advanced automation software tailored for space missions , empowering humanity's ambitions beyond Earth's orbit.

Our mission is to revolutionize the space industry by providing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reliability, and safety in space exploration endeavors.