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Airbus

Manufacturer of commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense

Head of Business Development UAS - Defence and Security

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's
Singapore
In PersonThe role includes periodic customer visits.
Sales & Account ManagementField Sales

About the job

Requirements
  • Tertiary education in Aviation, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • At least 10 years of progressive sales and marketing experience in the aerospace industry.
  • Several years of drone operations experience, ideally in a government agency or the military.
  • Strong understanding of the unmanned aircraft system and drone market, technologies, and regulatory environment, including familiarity with industry standards and best practices.
  • Ability to make strategic decisions under pressure and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
  • Ability to lead and manage projects effectively within a highly matrixed environment spanning multiple functions and countries.
  • Ability to lead and motivate sales and marketing teams, with strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Discretion, trustworthiness, integrity, and high ethical standards when handling sensitive military and national security information.
  • Strong business acumen and results-driven orientation.
  • Patience and resilience to pursue long sales cycles and opportunities over several years despite budget cuts, government changes, and setbacks.
  • Proactive networking, questioning, and campaign-driving capabilities.
  • Ability to collaborate and respect the expertise of broader Airbus teams.
  • Intellectual curiosity and willingness to experiment and continually learn about advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomy, and sensor technology.
  • Cultural awareness and effectiveness in building relationships with government and military clients, Airbus, and industrial partners from diverse backgrounds worldwide.
  • Ability to manage relationships with complex internal and external stakeholders.
  • Awareness of potential compliance risks and commitment to act with integrity.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the integrated unmanned aircraft system business development team across North Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • Achieve annual booking and sales targets, manage the sales funnel strategically, and provide accurate booking forecasts.
  • Support the Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific regional sales team in identifying and pursuing targeted opportunities.
  • Contribute to the product roadmap based on market intelligence and gather insights into competitor strategies and products.
  • Lead and manage direct and indirect teams to achieve and exceed annual sales, booking, unit, and revenue targets.
  • Manage and progress opportunities through the sales funnel.
  • Meet or exceed established margin targets for sales activities.
  • Sell hardware and services, including support and training packages.
  • Build customer relationships through proactive engagement and periodic customer visits.
  • Ensure the sales team develops opportunities aligned with company targets and manages the funnel from lead generation through closure.
  • Lead competitive intelligence by tracking competitor products, sales performance, and strategic direction; deliver comparative reports and centralize regional marketing data for corporate use.
  • Collaborate with Programs and Operations to ensure aircraft deliveries meet customer expectations and company quality standards.
  • Connect customer requirements with internal execution by negotiating demands and communicating specifications to sales and delivery teams.
  • Create, initiate, and coordinate sales and demonstration programs to develop additional unmanned aircraft system sales opportunities.
  • Provide timely booking forecasts and data to the Regional Management Team for sales forecasts, strategic objectives, action plans, and budgets.
  • Coach and mentor team members to support individual development and departmental target achievement.
  • Coordinate with the global network of unmanned aircraft system champions to share expertise and maximize opportunities.
  • Manage marketing activities with Airbus Helicopters marketing and communications departments to align the brand and leverage synergies.
  • Develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns responsive to marketplace dynamics and trends.
  • Supervise the development of sales promotional materials.
  • Maintain accurate customer interaction records and sales funnel opportunities in the customer relationship management system.
  • Prepare reports on key data and performance metrics.
  • Communicate key performance indicators and strategic recommendations to management.
  • Develop internal reports and contribute to briefs for management and relevant stakeholders.

About the company

Airbus designs and manufactures commercial airplanes, helicopters, military aircraft, and space systems like satellites and launch services. The company builds these products by integrating advanced airframes, propulsion systems, and digital communication networks to support global travel, defense, and scientific exploration. Airbus distinguishes itself through its massive global manufacturing network and its active development of hydrogen-powered aircraft to eliminate carbon emissions. Its goal is to provide safe, connected aerospace solutions while leading the industry toward sustainable flight and environmental responsibility.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Blagnac, France

Founded

1970

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue rose 28% to €20.5 billion, with EBIT up 54%.
  • H1 2026 deliveries reached 351 aircraft, reversing earlier supply-chain disruptions.
  • Qantas's A350-1000ULR tests and Jet Zero's SAF funding deepen Airbus's premium partnerships.

What critics are saying

  • Spanish strikes froze hiring in August 2026 and slowed military and commercial production.
  • June 2026 engine shortages threatened Airbus's 870-jet target and dragged first-quarter deliveries.
  • Boeing's challenge to the EIB loan escalates trade scrutiny and could tighten Airbus financing.

What makes Airbus unique

  • Airbus spans jets, helicopters, defense, and space across Europe, China, and America.
  • The A350F targets 109 tonnes and 115 orders before certification begins.
  • The €3 billion EIB package funds research through 2030 across civil, defense, and technology.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Parental Leave
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

5%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 12th, 2026
Airbus tests US-built Valkyrie drone in Europe, eyes 2029 delivery at about $22M per unit

Airbus has flown a US-built Valkyrie drone in Europe for the first time, aiming to show that regulatory barriers to military drones in European airspace can be overcome. The September 29 flight over northern Europe did not yet include Airbus' European mission system, said Michael Schoellhorn, chief executive officer of Airbus Defence and Space. The drone, developed by US-based Kratos Defense, reached Mach 0.8. Airbus hopes to team it with Eurofighter jets and supply the German Air Force with combat drones by 2029. The next test flight, with Airbus' MARS Mission System on board, is expected in the first quarter of 2027. A first flight with a Eurofighter is scheduled later that year. Schoellhorn put the cost at around €20 million per unit and estimated German needs at around 500 drones.

The Register
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Airbus A350F freighter completes maiden flight with 4.3m cargo door for servers

Airbus has successfully completed the first flight of its A350F freighter, bringing the aerospace giant closer to delivering a high-capacity cargo aircraft. The plane took off from Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, flying for four hours and ten minutes and reaching 25,000 feet. The A350F can carry a payload of 109 tonnes, compared to 64 tonnes for the existing A330F. It features a 4.3-metre cargo door large enough to accommodate turbofan engines and high-density computer servers. Airbus claims the A350F is more efficient than Boeing's rival 777F, despite having slightly less capacity. The company has already received orders for 115 A350Fs. A second test aircraft is nearly complete as Airbus begins the certification process requiring hundreds of test flights.

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Airbus and Qantas back $30M funding for Australian SAF developer Jet Zero

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Carbon Market Pulse Limited
Sep 7th, 2026
Australian SAF company completes A$30 mln capital raise « Carbon Pulse

This page is intended to be viewed online and may not be printed. As per our terms and conditions, the republication or redistribution of Carbon Pulse content can result in the suspension or termination of your subscription.

Australian Financial Review
Sep 6th, 2026
POSCO joins Qantas, Airbus in bumper Jet Zero capital raising

The spike in oil prices amid six months of conflict in the Middle East has made the Townsville-based start-up’s clean aviation fuel hopes more attractive.