Senior Business Development Manager (US)

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven sales/business development professional to join our team, the leading provider of autonomous agricultural spray aircraft in North America. As the agricultural sector continues to embrace innovation, our products are revolutionizing how farms optimize yields, reduce operational costs and improve safety. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a high-growth industry, leveraging advanced drone technology to offer farmers and agribusinesses an efficient and sustainable solution to modern agricultural challenges. You will play a key role in introducing our products to the North American market, cultivating relationships with clients, and driving sales in one of the world’s most important agricultural economies.

In this role, you will be responsible for identifying and engaging with potential clients, including large-scale farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and distributors. You'll need to effectively communicate the benefits of our products. You will manage the sales cycle from initial prospecting to closing, ensuring a seamless experience for the customer. Strong negotiation skills, an in-depth understanding of agriculture and technology, and the ability to provide tailored data, insights, and solutions based on client needs will be essential for success in this position.

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for agricultural innovation and a proven track record in sales, preferably in the Agtech or drone industries. Familiarity with the US and Canadian agricultural landscape are essential, while knowledge of drone technology or experience in precision agriculture is a plus. If you are a motivated self-starter with the ability to build strong client relationships and drive business growth, this is your chance to join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of agricultural technology.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of Pyka's sales team to develop the North American agricultural customer base for Pelican 2.
• Ongoing interaction with existing and near-term prospective customers successfully leading sales campaigns to initial and repeat Purchase Orders.
• Act as primary contact for customer sales inquiries.
• Prepare and negotiate sales quotations to customers from initial prospecting to transaction closing.
• Prepare customer briefings and meeting reports for Pyka senior management.
• Support logistics for customer demonstrations and agricultural shows/events.
• Explore and develop new customer relationships across the US and Canada, with primary focus in strong agricultural areas across the two countries.
• Prepare market assessment and overview analyses on customer segmentation to support near- and medium-term growth opportunities for Pelican 2 in North America.
• In collaboration with our marketing team, create North America specific marketing material that addresses the unique opportunities and challenges within the region and across crop types
• Interact with Pyka HQ teams to facilitate smooth aircraft delivery logistics.
• Support Flight Ops during initial customer operations on-site.

Required Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in the North American agricultural industry.
• Stellar communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with agricultural drone operations.
• Knowledge of aerial application operations and competitor products.
• Financially savvy and proven transaction negotiation skills
• Strong understanding of value drivers for North American growers/farmers.
• Expansive network within the North American agricultural market.
• Independent and motivated self-starter.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ideally based in the Bay Area and willing to travel extensively.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA with employer matching
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snack

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.