Business Developer VIE Japan (Defense)

Location: Tokyo or Nagoya, Japan

Company

hirify.global is an air defense startup building AI-guided interceptors for drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.

What you will do

• Map Japan's defense ecosystem, including institutional buyers, defense primes, and innovation bodies.
• Identify procurement programs, capability gaps, and innovation initiatives related to ISR, counter-drone systems, and AI autonomy.
• Monitor Japanese defense policy, budgets, strategic priorities, and counter-drone programs; prepare market intelligence reports for the Paris leadership team.
• Build initial relationships with institutional stakeholders, industrial partners, and potential clients, and qualify partnership or sales opportunities.
• Represent hirify.global at Japanese defense events, industry forums, and bilateral exercises.
• Coordinate communication, partner visits, demonstrations, and leadership trips between Japan and the Paris headquarters.

Requirements

• 0–3 years of experience; the VIE position is open to recent graduates and early-career candidates.
• Background in business development, international relations, defense studies, engineering, or a related field.
• Native or near-native Japanese is mandatory.
• Fluent English is mandatory for reporting, materials, and communication with the Paris headquarters.
• Proactive, autonomous, rigorous, culturally agile, discreet, and professional.
• Genuine interest in defense technology, security policy, and European-Japanese cooperation.

Nice to have

• Prior exposure to Japan through studies, an internship, or work experience.
• French proficiency for day-to-day interaction with Paris.

Culture & Benefits

• High ownership and direct exposure to company leadership.
• Responsibility for representing the company in a sensitive, security-adjacent environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to hirify.global' first major commercial entry into the Japanese market.
• Collaboration across Japanese and European business, language, and cultural contexts.