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Machina Labs is building intelligent, software-defined factories that produce complex metal structures directly from digital design. The company integrates advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production to enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks rather than years. Backed by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and NVIDIA, Machina is establishing manufacturing infrastructure for defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility programs.
You will establish and grow Machina's presence with European defense primes, with the opportunity to expand into the Middle East over time. This is the company's first dedicated international business development role and will operate with significant autonomy. You'll identify programs and partners where Machina's technologies and factories can have the greatest impact, build trusted relationships across European defense companies, and turn those relationships into technical engagements, proof-of-concept programs, qualification programs, and ultimately production opportunities—either fulfilled by Machina factories or deployed at customer sites.
This is not a traditional sales role. You'll operate credibly with engineers, program leaders, manufacturing teams, and senior executives, and understand how complex defense systems move from development into production. You will work closely with Machina's leadership, defense subsidiary, business development, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
Key responsibilities include: building Machina's business across the European defense market with initial focus on major primes and missile, hypersonic, and strike programs; identifying programs and technical problems where Machina can have the greatest impact and turning those into POCs, qualification efforts, and production programs; building trusted relationships across engineering, program, manufacturing, and business leadership at target customers; developing account and market strategy for Europe; serving as Machina's eyes and ears in the region to inform longer-term European strategy; and working closely with U.S. BD, engineering, and manufacturing teams to move opportunities from conversation to execution.
This is a remote position based in Europe with significant travel throughout the region and periodic travel to Machina's headquarters in Los Angeles. Candidates must reside in Europe.
First-year success metrics include: establishing Machina's target-account and program strategy across the European defense market; building senior and technical relationships across highest-priority European primes; developing several proof-of-concept programs with credible paths toward qualification and production; building a qualified pipeline of longer-term production opportunities; and helping Machina understand where a future European manufacturing or Edge Factory presence could create strategic value.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong technical foundation, ideally an engineering background followed by experience in business development, capture, program leadership, or another customer-facing role
- Deep understanding of missile, hypersonic, strike, propulsion, weapons systems, or closely related aerospace/defense technologies and how they are designed and manufactured
- Demonstrated experience building business with European defense primes and navigating complex technical organizations
- Experience moving opportunities beyond relationship-building into technical evaluation, qualification, and production
- Ability to operate independently, set strategy, and create momentum without an established local team or playbook
- Strong communication skills and ability to build credibility with both technical and executive audiences
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout Europe and periodically to Machina's headquarters in Los Angeles
STRONGLY PREFERRED:
- Experience working inside a major European defense prime, missile manufacturer, or critical subsystem supplier
- Existing relationships across European missile, hypersonic, strike, or advanced weapons programs
- Experience in advanced manufacturing, aerospace structures, propulsion, or complex metal assemblies
- Experience in a startup, growth-stage defense technology company, or similarly fast-moving environment
- Additional European language proficiency
