Senior Business Development Manager

At Mainblades, we're redefining how airplanes get inspected. Our automatic drone system captures high-resolution images, detects defects using machine learning, and is being used at major airlines across the globe.

We've proven the concept. Now we're scaling globally, and that means turning a track record with the world's largest airlines into the industry standard. That's where you come in.

The challenge

As our Senior Business Development Manager, you will own commercial growth in key global markets. You'll carry the full sales cycle for strategic accounts — from first contact through negotiation and close — and help define how Mainblades scales from aviation innovator to default choice for airlines and MROs worldwide.

This is not a relationship management role. You build pipeline, open doors at C-level, and close complex deals in long, multi-stakeholder environments. You'll also help shape how the commercial team operates as we grow.

You will:

• Own the full sales cycle for strategic accounts (from first contact through negotiation, closing, and finally handover) with a focus on airlines and MROs

• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for assigned regions or verticals, with clear targets and accountability

• Build senior-level relationships with key decision-makers across airlines, MROs, and aviation industry bodies

• Lead high-stakes presentations, product demonstrations, and commercial negotiations

• Represent Mainblades at international trade events, conferences, and customer sites

• Maintain rigorous CRM hygiene and pipeline discipline; provide reliable commercial forecasting

• Share market intelligence to inform product and strategy decisions

• Mentor junior commercial team members and contribute to how the team operates

What we're looking for

You've closed complex enterprise deals in large, multi-stakeholder organizations. You know how to open doors at the top, keep a deal moving through a long cycle, and bring it home. You don't wait for leads to come to you.

What matters most:

• 6+ years in B2B sales or business development with a proven track record closing complex enterprise deals

• Experience selling into large, multi-stakeholder organizations — ideally airlines, MROs, or aviation/aerospace corporates

• Demonstrable ability to engage at C-level and guide deals through long, complex sales cycles

• Hunter mentality: you build pipeline, you don't just manage it

• Exceptional English; a second language (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, or French) is a strong advantage

• Confident presenter and sharp negotiator — comfortable running high-stakes conversations at any level

• High autonomy and strong commercial judgment; low need for hand-holding

• Willingness to travel internationally for customer meetings, demos, and events

Nice to have:

• Direct experience in the aviation or aerospace industry

• Existing relationships with airlines, MROs, or aviation industry bodies

• Experience in a scaling startup or a company taking a new technology to market

What we offer

You'll join a small, driven team where your decisions are felt by real users on real aircraft:

• Competitive compensation that reflects your experience and seniority

• 30 vacation days + 8 flexible public holiday swap days

• Employee incentive plan — a real stake in what you help build

• Training and development budget

• Optional pension contribution (3rd pillar)

• Flexible working arrangements

• International travel to clients, demos, and industry events

• Fresh fruit, good coffee, and colleagues who like building useful things

• The chance to shape not just a product, but how an industry works