Technical Sales Manager
CV-LibrarySandwich, KentpermanentPosted: 6 November 2026
Apply NowSapien are looking for a Technical Sales & Business Development Manager to join a specialist engineering and technology business operating within the defence and security sectors.
This is a customer facing role focused on developing new business, winning sales opportunities and managing key customer and channel partner relationships. You will be responsible for promoting a portfolio of specialist surveillance, sensor and electro-optical (EO) technologies, supporting customers across military and security applications.
The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of defence and security markets, ideally with practical experience of ISTAR and EO systems. You may come from a military background or have gained relevant experience in engineering, technical sales or the development of specialist defence technologies.
Additional Requirements
* Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.
* Full, clean UK driving licence.
* Willingness and ability to travel within the UK and internationally.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify, develop and qualify new business opportunities across assigned markets and accounts.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, military end users and international channel partners.
* Understand customer requirements and match them to suitable technical products and solutions.
* Drive sales opportunities from initial engagement through to proposal, negotiation and order placement.
* Prepare and lead bids, tenders, RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, quotations and customer presentations.
* Work closely with internal engineering, operations, quality and finance teams to ensure customer expectations are met.
* Provide technical and commercial support throughout the pre-sales and post-sales process.
* Maintain a strong understanding of defence, military surveillance and electro-optical markets.
* Monitor competitor activity and market developments, feeding back opportunities to support future product development.
* Support product demonstrations, exhibitions, conferences and other business development activities.
Key experience:
* We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate one or more of the following:
* Previous military experience, ideally involving the operation, training or instruction of ISTAR and EO equipment.
* Industry experience in the engineering, development, marketing or sales of surveillance sensors and specialist defence systems.
* A strong understanding of military equipment, operational requirements and the systems used across land, maritime and dismounted applications.
* Experience in a customer-facing, technical sales or business development role.
* The ability to understand complex technical requirements and communicate solutions effectively to customers.
Benefits
* 9 day fortnight, with every other Friday as a non working day.
* Hybrid working opportunities.
* Company profit sharing scheme.
* Stakeholder pension.
* Death in service benefit.
* Employee rewards and recognition scheme.
* Employee engagement initiatives
This is a customer facing role focused on developing new business, winning sales opportunities and managing key customer and channel partner relationships. You will be responsible for promoting a portfolio of specialist surveillance, sensor and electro-optical (EO) technologies, supporting customers across military and security applications.
The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of defence and security markets, ideally with practical experience of ISTAR and EO systems. You may come from a military background or have gained relevant experience in engineering, technical sales or the development of specialist defence technologies.
Additional Requirements
* Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.
* Full, clean UK driving licence.
* Willingness and ability to travel within the UK and internationally.
Key Responsibilities
* Identify, develop and qualify new business opportunities across assigned markets and accounts.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, military end users and international channel partners.
* Understand customer requirements and match them to suitable technical products and solutions.
* Drive sales opportunities from initial engagement through to proposal, negotiation and order placement.
* Prepare and lead bids, tenders, RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, quotations and customer presentations.
* Work closely with internal engineering, operations, quality and finance teams to ensure customer expectations are met.
* Provide technical and commercial support throughout the pre-sales and post-sales process.
* Maintain a strong understanding of defence, military surveillance and electro-optical markets.
* Monitor competitor activity and market developments, feeding back opportunities to support future product development.
* Support product demonstrations, exhibitions, conferences and other business development activities.
Key experience:
* We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate one or more of the following:
* Previous military experience, ideally involving the operation, training or instruction of ISTAR and EO equipment.
* Industry experience in the engineering, development, marketing or sales of surveillance sensors and specialist defence systems.
* A strong understanding of military equipment, operational requirements and the systems used across land, maritime and dismounted applications.
* Experience in a customer-facing, technical sales or business development role.
* The ability to understand complex technical requirements and communicate solutions effectively to customers.
Benefits
* 9 day fortnight, with every other Friday as a non working day.
* Hybrid working opportunities.
* Company profit sharing scheme.
* Stakeholder pension.
* Death in service benefit.
* Employee rewards and recognition scheme.
* Employee engagement initiatives