Chief Commercial Officer – Drone Hardware – Eastern Europe

Darwin have partnered with a fast-scaling defence technology group who design and manufacture critical hardware components for the unmanned systems sector. Backed by the group with an established, profitable business in the industrial power/energy space, they are now launching a brand-new product division and are looking for the commercial leader to build it from the ground up.

This is a genuine “zero to one” mandate. You will start by proving demand through outsourced production, then take ownership of standing up an in-house manufacturing facility in Poland, Ukraine or elsewhere in Europe as the business scales. You will report directly into the CEO and be the first serious commercial hire into this division.

You will hold the CCO title from day one – but this is not a hands-off, strategy-only seat to begin with. In the early phase you will be the one prospecting, travelling, negotiating and closing deals yourself. As the division scales and you build out a team beneath you, the role will transition into a full CCO remit – owning growth strategy, commercial leadership and the wider go-to-market function. You’re being brought in to build the function and grow into leading it, not to inherit one that already exists.

Why Join?

• Genuine blank-sheet mandate – build the commercial strategy, team and go-to-market motion for a new product line from day one, carrying the CCO title as you grow into the full remit.
• Backed by an already-profitable business in the group, giving you real commercial runway rather than a pre-revenue startup gamble.
• Direct line to the CEO, with the autonomy to shape pricing, channel strategy, and eventually the manufacturing buildout.
• A low-bureaucracy, high-velocity culture – inspired by the founders and leaders behind category-defining hardware companies in the region.
• Be part of the story of Central & Eastern Europe’s defense-tech industrial base scaling to meet NATO-wide demand.

The Role

• Build and own the full B2B pipeline for advanced hardware components across UAV manufacturers, defence integrators and industrial platform builders in Poland, Ukraine, and wider NATO-allied nations.
• Take early prototypes and serial samples through to long-term supply contracts – full commercialisation ownership.
• Act as the technical bridge between clients and internal R&D/manufacturing partners, translating hardware requirements into product decisions.
• Help plan and execute the transition from outsourced production to an in-house manufacturing facility.
• Own complex sales cycles end-to-end: outreach, C-suite negotiation, contract close, payment, and post-deployment technical feedback loops.
• Travel regularly across the region – client sites, trade shows, supplier facilities.

Experience of Interest

• 6+ years of B2B sales, business development or technical account management within MilTech, aerospace, electronics, hardware or advanced industrial equipment.
• Solid working knowledge of the UAV/unmanned systems market and the wider defense-tech ecosystem.
• Experience dealing directly with international hardware manufacturers and component supply chains/import logistics.
• A self-starting, high-agency operator – comfortable building a pipeline from nothing rather than managing an existing book.
• Advanced English (C1-C2 minimum) with the gravitas to negotiate with both engineers and C-level buyers.
• An existing network among UAV/drone manufacturers or defense integrators in Europe or Ukraine is a strong plus.
• Prior exposure to setting up, scaling or relocating a hardware manufacturing facility is a bonus, not a requirement.

Location & Package

Based in Poland (Warsaw preferred), Ukraine, US, or elsewhere in Europe, with flexibility for the right candidate across NATO and allied countries. Salary is market-rate and location-dependent, paired with a performance bonus tied to division scaling – structure open to discussion, including contract type (permanent or B2B).

Reach out to Kyle Gauntlett, Executive Recruiter – Defense at Darwin Recruitment if you’re open to hearing more – Kyle.Gauntlett@darwinrecruitment.com

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Kyle Gauntlett