Business Development Representative — Internship

About Alta Ares

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.

Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.

Role & Mission

This VIE is Alta Ares' first step into the Japanese market. As Business Developer VIE Japan, you will lay the groundwork for Alta Ares' commercial presence in Japan - mapping the ecosystem, identifying opportunities, building early-stage relationships, and supporting the development of a long-term BD strategy.

You will operate with real ownership and direct exposure to Alta Ares' leadership. This is not a support role: you will be the company's eyes, ears, and voice in Japan, contributing directly to one of the most strategically significant market entries the company will make.

Japan is accelerating its defence modernisation at an unprecedented pace. You will be there at exactly the right moment.

Market Mapping & Opportunity Identification

• Map Japan's defence ecosystem: key institutional buyers (Japan MOD, ATLA, JGSDF, JASDF, JMSDF), defence primes (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, NEC, IHI, Fujitsu Defence), and relevant innovation bodies
• Identify procurement programmes, capability gaps, and innovation initiatives aligned with Alta Ares' product suite: ISR, C-UAS, AI autonomy
• Monitor Japanese defence policy, budget developments, and strategic priorities (National Security Strategy, 2% GDP commitment, counter-drone programmes)
• Produce regular market intelligence reports for the Paris leadership team

Relationship Building & Business Development

• Initiate and develop first-contact relationships with institutional stakeholders, industrial partners, and potential clients
• Represent Alta Ares at Japanese defence events, industry forums, and bilateral exercises: DSEI Japan, Nico Tech, and equivalent
• Support the preparation of partner-facing materials, capability presentations, and meeting briefings in Japanese and English
• Qualify inbound interest and identify concrete partnership or sales opportunities to escalate to leadership

France–Japan Coordination

• Serve as the operational bridge between Japan and Alta Ares HQ in Paris
• Ensure smooth communication across time zones, languages, and cultural contexts
• Coordinate logistics for partner visits, demos, and leadership trips to Japan
• Translate not just language but context - helping Paris understand the Japanese market and helping Japanese partners understand Alta Ares

Experience & Background

• 0–3 years of experience - this is a VIE position, open to recent graduates and early-career profiles
• Background in business development, international relations, defence studies, engineering, or a related field
• Prior exposure to Japan (studies, internship, work experience) is a strong plus
• Genuine interest in defence technology, security policy, and European-Japanese cooperation - the mission matters to you

Skills & Qualities

• Native or near-native Japanese speaker - mandatory (日本語ネイティブレベル必須)
• Fluent in English - mandatory : your reporting, materials, and communications with HQ will be in English
• French is a strong plus - day-to-day interaction with Paris is significantly easier with French proficiency
• Proactive and autonomous - comfortable operating solo in a new market with limited hand-holding
• Curious and rigorous: you research thoroughly, report clearly, and follow up reliably
• Culturally agile: equally at ease in a formal Japanese institutional setting and a fast-moving European startup
• Discreet and professional - you represent Alta Ares in a sensitive, security-adjacent environment