Chief Revenue Officer

Location: Lenexa, KS (onsite with hybrid flexibility)

Guide Tech, a subsidiary of Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PYDN), is building the future of autonomous aerospace systems. We develop advanced avionics, autonomy, and mission software that enable a wide range of platforms, from unmanned aircraft and counter-UAS systems to launch vehicles and spacecraft. Our engineers tackle complex technical challenges with real-world impact, delivering technologies that push the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace, defense, and space exploration.

Guide Tech is seeking a Chief Revenue Officer to own commercial growth for our engineering services and BRAIN avionics offerings. This is a hands‑on revenue leadership role for a senior seller who can build pipelines, win new customers, and establish disciplined sales, marketing, and customer feedback processes.

• Own the revenue funnel through target accounts, prospecting, qualification, pipeline management, forecasting, proposals, negotiation, and close.
• Identify and win new B2B programs with prime contractors, direct aerospace and defense customers, autonomy companies, and strategic partners.
• Build relationships with executives, engineering leaders, program managers, procurement teams, and other key decision‑makers.
• Serve as senior commercial owner through contract signature and program kickoff, then support handoff to operations while staying engaged on account growth.
• Maintain disciplined CRM and pipeline KPIs, including qualified pipeline, forecast, customer meetings, proposal activity, win rate, and revenue progress.
• Coordinate with Guide Tech and Palladyne leadership on bid/no‑bid, pricing strategy, proposal positioning, partner relationships, and customer priorities.
• Act as Guide Tech's marketing liaison by shaping external messaging, coordinating with Palladyne Marketing, and representing Guide Tech at conferences and industry events.
• Capture customer, competitive, and market feedback to inform BRAIN and product‑development priorities, while technical leaders retain engineering ownership.

• 8+ years of experience in B2B sales, business development, revenue leadership, account management, or strategic partnerships.
• Experience selling technical products or services in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, avionics, AI/ML software, or related markets.
• Proven ability to independently build pipeline, open new customer relationships, manage long‑cycle deals, and close funded contracts or purchase orders.
• Strong commercial judgment across pricing, proposal strategy, negotiation, qualification, forecasting, and account planning.
• Ability to work effectively with engineering, product, operations, finance, legal, marketing, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, organization, follow‑through, and ethical judgment, with willingness to travel for customers and industry events.

We support missions that impact national security, public safety, and critical technologies. Our culture is built on accountability, integrity, collaboration, and ownership. We value direct and respectful communication, adaptability in a fast‑paced environment, and teams that work together to deliver meaningful results.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work on impactful projects alongside a collaborative team. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, and additional wellness programs.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. Depending on the role, the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required.

This role is based onsite in Lenexa, Kansas and may involve working in both an office and light production environment. Responsibilities may include occasional standing, lifting, and handling of equipment or materials.

This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.