Business Development Manager – Drones & Autonomous Systems

Role Summary

We are seeking a Business Development Manager – Drones & Autonomous Systems to drive growth across the full breadth of Front End’s Autonomy & Mobility portfolio. You will own the commercial strategy and pipeline for UAV and drone operations, marine and subsea systems, air mobility, and automated infrastructure — identifying opportunities, building client and partner relationships, and converting Front End’s autonomous capabilities into delivered projects for government, energy, logistics, mining, and industrial clients.

This is a client-facing, target-driven role that sits at the intersection of cutting-edge autonomous technology and the Kingdom’s ambitious smart-mobility agenda. Experience working in or with Saudi Arabia is strongly preferred.

Solution Areas You Will Cover

This role spans the complete Autonomy & Mobility offering. You are expected to understand, position, and sell across all four capability areas below.

1. UAV & Drone Operations

• Drone-based aerial geophysical surveys
• UAV LiDAR, imaging, and electromagnetic (EM) surveys
• Drone-based inspections for energy and industrial facilities
• Drone pilot training and certification
• UAV operations consulting and fleet integration
• Cargo drones (250 kg+ payload, autonomous navigation, eco-logistics)

2. Marine & Subsea Systems

• Uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) surveys
• Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys
• Remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) inspections
• Remotely-operated soil testing

3. Air Mobility

• Autonomous passenger air mobility (eVTOL – electric vertical takeoff and landing)
• Autonomous aerial logistics and cargo delivery
• Smart-city aerial systems for emergency response and monitoring
• Command-and-control centers for aerial fleet management
• Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems to coordinate multiple aerial vehicles safely in shared airspace

4. Automated Infrastructure

• Automated robotic refueling systems for vehicles and fleets
• Mobile fueling fleet operations
• Semi-automated rig logistics support
• Robotic systems & intellegent infrastructure
• Robotruck – autonomous vehicle solutions for logistics, mining, and construction

Key Responsibilities

• Own and grow the sales pipeline across all four Autonomy & Mobility capability areas — UAV & drone operations, marine & subsea systems, air mobility, and automated infrastructure.
• Identify, qualify, and win new business with government entities, energy operators, mining companies, logistics providers, and industrial clients across Saudi Arabia and the region.
• Translate complex autonomous-systems capabilities into clear commercial value propositions tailored to each client’s operational and strategic objectives.
• Lead the full sales cycle: prospecting, solution scoping, proposals and tenders, commercial negotiation, and deal closure.
• Build and manage relationships with technology partners, OEMs, and exclusive-agency principals to expand Front End’s autonomous offering.
• Support landmark initiatives such as air-taxi/eVTOL trials and drone-payload programs, positioning Front End as the partner of choice for smart mobility in the Kingdom.
• Work with technical, operations, and delivery teams through Front End’s Discover Design Deploy Optimize & Scale process to ensure sold solutions are deliverable and profitable.
• Track market trends, regulation (e.g., UAV/airspace and UTM frameworks), and competitor activity to shape go-to-market strategy.
• Represent Front End at industry events, client briefings, and demonstrations; build a strong market presence and reference base.
• Maintain accurate forecasting, pipeline reporting, and CRM hygiene against agreed revenue targets.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Aerospace, Technology, or a related field (Master’s/MBA a plus).
• 5+ years of business development, sales, or commercial experience, ideally in drones/UAVs, autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, defense, or advanced technology solutions.
• Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets and closing complex, technical, multi-stakeholder deals.
• 
  Saudi Arabia experience is strongly preferred — established knowledge of the Kingdom’s market, clients, regulatory environment, and Vision 2030 priorities is highly valued.
• Strong understanding of one or more capability areas: UAV/drone operations, marine & subsea autonomous systems, eVTOL/air mobility, or automated industrial infrastructure.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; able to engage both C-level decision-makers and technical specialists.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, technology-driven environment with long, consultative sales cycles.
• Fluency in English required; Arabic is a strong advantage.
• Willingness to travel within the Kingdom and the region as needed.