Partnerships Lead

Modern Intelligence builds Sovereign, targeting software for unmanned systems. Manufacturers install it on UAVs, USVs, UUVs, and other unmanned vehicles. Sovereign runs on the vehicle’s computer. It detects, classifies, and tracks targets from the onboard cameras, keeps identity when the picture breaks up, and can run terminal guidance into impact. It keeps working when GPS is out and the radio is jammed.

We’ve held Department of War contracts, including work with Air Force Special Operations and SOCOM. 

We’ve raised more than $12 million from Bedrock, Vine, Contrary, Air Street, Caffeinated, Champion Hill, Swell, Myelin, and others.

We have been founder-led on sales since 2021 and have closed contracts with both primes and vendors. You will be our first dedicated partnerships hire, building relationships with unmanned vehicle manufacturers and owning the partner pipeline from first call to signed deal.

Our primary buyers are companies that build UAVs, UGVs, USVs, UUVs, and other UxVs and want Sovereign running on their vehicles. You will find and qualify those manufacturers, then negotiate the agreements that put Sovereign on their platforms, such as licensing, teaming, joint development, or reseller deals. Once a manufacturer signs, you will work with our Deployments team to schedule integration and field testing.

This role is on-site in Austin, or remote from the DC area until we open an office there.

 

Expect to travel 25–33% of the time for partner meetings, field tests, conferences, and industry events.

4+ years in sales, partnerships, or business development at a B2B, hardware, defense, dual-use, or deep-tech company

You have built your own pipeline through outbound, not only worked inbound leads or accounts you were handed

Experience closing licensing agreements with hardware manufacturers, primes, or systems integrators

Experience selling into defense, and an understanding of how DoW programs buy

Experience pitching a technical product to engineers in defense

Experience keeping a CRM up to date and reporting pipeline to the exec team

Fluency with AI tools for prospecting, note taking, researching, and drafting

Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)). This role works with export-controlled technology.

Modern Intelligence builds Sovereign: edge targeting software for unmanned systems, already in use on live missions. You’ll be our first dedicated partnerships hire, signing the manufacturers that put Sovereign on their vehicles and working directly with the founders. If you’re hungry and move with agency, you should apply.