Backed by Accel and a16z.
About the role
Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy across Swan’s priority markets: defense platforms first (airborne systems including UAS, missiles/munitions, and contested logistics; maritime USV platforms), with expanding efforts in commercial aviation and commercial shipping. Identify, engage, and secure partnerships with the full spectrum of platform OEMs, both new and established, across airborne and maritime platforms, prioritizing partners best positioned to field Swan’s technology at scale.
What they're looking for
- Possesses 6+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or program management within the defense, aerospace, or autonomous systems industries
- Exhibits strong technical aptitude with the ability to grasp complex concepts in autonomy, robotics, and software, including areas like satellite navigation, computer vision, AI/ML, and distributed systems
- Is an exceptional negotiator with experience structuring technology and software deals to include licensing, data rights, and joint development, protecting core IP while enabling partner success
- Thinks like an owner, with an entrepreneurial mindset, hustle, and a bias for action. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment
- Spans strategy and execution. Thinks rigorously about which partnerships are worth building, then personally goes and makes them happen, neither purely strategic nor purely transactional
- Is an outstanding communicator and presenter, able to articulate a compelling vision and clear value proposition to both senior executive and deeply technical audiences
More about this role
Remote
Swan is a US defense technology company building the autonomy capability layer for defense. Founded in 2024 by senior leaders from the self-driving industry (ex-Uber, Aurora) and backed by leading defense VCs (including a16z) and strategic investors (including RTX), Swan delivers scalable, modular, software-defined autonomy. Swan’s full-stack solutions enable aerial and maritime platforms to navigate, perceive, and precisely strike in GNSS- and comms-denied environments. Swan’s products, Solo (multi-domain GNSS-denied navigation) and Dive (image-based precision targeting), integrate into platforms across a diverse OEM ecosystem, positioning Swan to become the standard autonomy platform for defense. Swan has won competitive DoW contracts and established partnerships with leading platform OEMs on highly visible DoW programs of record.
Swan is seeking an experienced, motivated, and high-integrity leader to serve as the Head of Partnerships. This leader will build and own Swan's partnerships with platform OEMs, ranging from fast-moving startups/neoprimes to established prime contractors, across aerial defense (UAS, missiles/munitions, and contested logistics) and maritime...
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