VIE Commercial Development Manager (Defence AI)

Location: Ottawa / Toronto, Canada. Full-time VIE mission; French or EU nationality and age 18–28 at mission start are mandatory.

Company

hirify.global is an air defense neoprime developing AI-guided interceptors for drones and cruise missiles and the software platform that powers them.

What you will do

• Identify, qualify, and develop strategic partnerships and sales opportunities with Canadian defence primes and systems integrators.
• Build multi-level relationships across business development, engineering, programme management, procurement, DND, PSPC, and ISED.
• Structure and negotiate teaming agreements, MoUs, subcontracting arrangements, co-development frameworks, and joint bids.
• Map Canada's defence industrial landscape, procurement priorities, ITB requirements, innovation programmes, and capability gaps across NORAD, Arctic surveillance, C-UAS, and ISR.
• Represent hirify.global at Canadian defence events, deliver capability briefings and demonstrations, and coordinate with Engineering, Product, and the GM North America.
• Manage the account lifecycle, maintain accurate pipeline reporting, brief leadership, and support export compliance for French, Canadian, and ITAR requirements.

Requirements

• 4–7 years of experience in defence business development, account management, or industrial partnerships in the Canadian market.
• Proven experience building and managing relationships with Canadian defence primes or DND/PSPC procurement teams.
• Experience with Canadian defence industrial policy, including ITB requirements, Canadian content frameworks, and ISED engagement.
• Familiarity with major Canadian defence programmes such as NORAD modernisation, Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, or RCAF platform upgrades.
• Fluent English is mandatory.
• Deep understanding of Canada's relationship-driven, process-conscious defence industrial culture and Canadian content considerations.
• Commercial drive, patience, organisation, rigour, autonomy, integrity, discretion, and comfort operating across Canadian and European contexts.
• French or EU nationality, age 18–28 at mission start, and no prior VIE with the same company are mandatory.

Nice to have

• Background in C-UAS, ISR, AI autonomy, UAS, or adjacent technologies.
• Prior experience in a neoprime or advanced defence technology company.
• French proficiency; bilingualism is a meaningful differentiator and supports direct communication with Paris headquarters.

Culture & Benefits

• Entrepreneurial and autonomous work with responsibility for building the Canadian commercial presence from scratch.
• Lean operating environment with collaboration across Canadian and European teams.
• Exposure to Canadian and NATO defence programmes, government institutions, industrial partners, and live demonstrations.
• Work closely with a remote headquarters and leadership across international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.