Forward Deployed Engineer - Defence

Advanced Navigation is the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technologies across land, air, sea and space applications. Founded on a culture of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation's mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Fields of expertise include artificial intelligence, underwater sonar, GNSS, radio frequency systems, inertial sensors, robotics, quantum sensors and photonics. 

Today, Advanced Navigation is a supplier to some of the world's largest companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Google, Tesla, NASA, Apple, and General Motors. Discover it for yourself: https://youtu.be/F7uAqs1gtuk

Location: Hybrid in Office in Newcastle Upon Tyne or Remote, UK

OVERVIEW OF ROLE 

As a Forward Deployed Engineer specialising in Geospatial Navigation, you will play a pivotal role in our company's sales process by leveraging your technical expertise to understand customer requirements, propose tailored solutions, and demonstrate the value of our products or services. You will collaborate closely with the sales team to effectively communicate the technical aspects of our offerings and address customer concerns, ultimately contributing to the acquisition of new business and the expansion of existing accounts.

Moreover, you will support the sales team in ensuring customer satisfaction by managing timelines and providing clients with regular updates on project progress. Your role will be crucial in facilitating technical implementations and resolving product issues and escalations, all aimed at achieving the highest levels of client satisfaction.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Technical Consultation and Solution Design: Engage with prospects and customers to assess their geospatial navigation requirements and business objectives. Leverage your expertise in geospatial technologies, including GNSS (global navigation satellite system) and INS (inertial navigation system), to recommend solutions that address their specific needs and deliver measurable value. Collaborate with the sales team to design and customise solutions that align with customer requirements and differentiate our offerings in the market.
• Product Demonstrations and Presentations: Conduct compelling product demonstrations and presentations to showcase the capabilities, features, and benefits of our geospatial navigation solutions. Tailor presentations to highlight the unique value proposition of our offerings and demonstrate how they address customer pain points and business challenges. Effectively communicate complex geospatial concepts and technical details to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proof of Concept (PoC) Development: Lead the design and execution of proof of concept projects to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed solutions. Work closely with customers to define success criteria, develop implementation plans, and demonstrate the value of our products in real-world scenarios. Gather feedback and iterate on PoC outcomes to refine solution proposals and address customer requirements.
• Requirements Analysis and Solution Development: Collaborate with customers to gather and analyse technical requirements, translating them into actionable solution designs. Leverage your technical expertise and industry knowledge to recommend best practices, identify opportunities for innovation, and address potential challenges or limitations. Work closely with product development teams to provide feedback and insights that inform product roadmap decisions and enhancements.
• Technical Expertise and Industry Insights: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive offerings to maintain a deep understanding of our products and their positioning in the market. Continuously enhance your technical skills and knowledge through training, certification programs, and hands-on experience. Share insights and best practices with internal teams to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Foster strong relationships with cross-functional teams, including sales, product development, marketing, and customer success, to ensure alignment and seamless execution of pre-sales activities. Act as a trusted advisor to customers, providing expert guidance and support throughout the sales cycle to build credibility and trust. Maintain regular communication with customers to address questions, concerns, and technical inquiries, ensuring a positive pre-sales experience.
• Furthermore, this role may require occasional travel to customer sites for in-person meetings, presentations, or project implementations.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS 

Customer-facing role, seeking candidates with proven experience supporting defence, security, or government programs in EMEA

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in a pre-sales or technical sales role, preferably within the technology industry
• Strong understanding of GNSS, INS, cloud computing, networking, cybersecurity concepts, and relevant technologies.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven track record of driving successful sales outcomes, building customer relationships, and delivering exceptional service.
• Customer-focused mindset with a passion for problem-solving, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Customer-facing attitude, preferably with experience supporting surveying, maritime, or robotic market segments
• A dedication to delivering a great customer experience while being a creative problem-solver in response to technical, product, and business questions
• Experience working in support environments using integrated CRM systems as well as tools such as Matlab for data analysis.
• Enjoyment in being in a fast-paced environment, to help customers accelerate their journey to creating an accurate position, velocity, acceleration and orientation under the most demanding conditions
• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset for accomplishing goals
• Coding experience is a plus.