Alta Ares

Defence Sales Manager - Canada

Ottawa / Toronto. Posted 5 days ago

The role

You will own the business in Canada by setting strategy and building partnerships with Canadian primes and integrators. You will lead negotiations, identify joint bids, and build relationships with government and defence entities.

What you will do

  • Define and execute the Canadian go-to-market strategy.
  • Recommend and help set up the Canadian structure.
  • Act as the senior representative in Canada with industry, government and the defence community.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with Canadian primes and integrators.
  • Lead negotiations on teaming agreements, MoUs, subcontracts and co-development frameworks.
  • Identify and lead joint bids on Canadian and NATO programmes.
  • Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting and report to leadership.
  • Build relationships with DND, CAF, PSPC, ISED and the Defence Investment Agency.
  • Pursue innovation and funding pathways.
  • Represent Alta Ares within CADSI and at key events.

Required qualifications

  • 5+ years in defence business development, capture or industrial partnerships in Canada.
  • Track record of closing partnerships or contracts.
  • Established network across Canadian primes and DND/PSPC.
  • Hands-on experience with ITB/Value Proposition requirements and Canadian procurement processes.
  • Experience negotiating teaming agreements, subcontracts or MoUs.
  • Professional fluency in English.
  • Legally eligible to work in Canada.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance (Secret).
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a Controlled Goods Program assessment.

Nice to have

  • French proficiency.
  • A background in C-UAS, ISR, AI/autonomy, UAS or adjacent technologies.
  • Experience in a defence tech scale-up, or launching a foreign company’s presence in Canada.
  • Familiarity with NORAD modernisation, Arctic programmes or RCAF/RCN platform upgrades.
  • Military service or prior DND experience.

About the company

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime that builds AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles. Founded in 2024, the company has 90 people and serves NATO-aligned militaries and defence institutions.