Senior Business Development Manager (System Sales – Drones)

Job description

AI is rapidly moving beyond research labs and into the real world—powering advancements in vehicles, factories, hospitals, homes, and everyday devices. NXP’s Global Sales organization is the force that transforms our intelligent edge vision into meaningful market impact. We operate on the front lines of innovation, delivering real‑world AI, secure edge intelligence, and breakthrough technologies to the customers shaping tomorrow’s world. As a strategic partner at the intersection of customer ambition and NXP capability, our global sales team drives alignment, opens new markets, and builds the relationships that lead to design wins and revenue growth. Through deep market insight and long‑term collaboration, we embed customer‑centricity into every decision and help accelerate innovation at the system‑solution level. This disciplined, client‑first mindset enables us to architect integrated, future‑ready solutions that deliver sustained value and strengthen NXP’s competitive advantage. We thrive in a high‑performance, high‑ownership environment—competing boldly, executing with urgency, and celebrating results. If you want to win big, grow fast, and work with the customers building what’s next, NXP Global Sales is where ambition becomes achievement.

As a Senior Business Development Manager – System Sales (Drones), you will lead the development and execution of NXP’s go-to-market strategy for the fast-growing drone ecosystem in Eastern Europe. You will operate at the intersection of technology, ecosystem, and customer engagement, driving system-level adoption of NXP solutions (processing, connectivity, security, Edge AI) across UAV platforms. This role requires strong commercial acumen combined with technical depth, especially around the integration of AI-enabled systems. While this is a senior position, high-potential candidates with strong system-level understanding and drive for complex technologies are also encouraged to apply.

This senior role is focused on:

• Driving system-level business development
• Expanding NXP’s ecosystem partnerships
• Securing long-term design wins and revenue growth

The candidate will join a high-performing, cross-functional team, collaborating closely with account management, technical experts, and product lines to deliver integrated, future-ready solutions to customers.

As a Senior Business Development Manager – System Sales (Drones), you will lead the development and execution of NXP’s go-to-market strategy for the fast-growing drone ecosystem in Eastern Europe. You will operate at the intersection of technology, ecosystem, and customer engagement, driving system-level adoption of NXP solutions (processing, connectivity, security, Edge AI) across UAV platforms. This role requires strong commercial acumen combined with technical depth, especially around the integration of AI-enabled systems. While this is a senior position, high-potential candidates with strong system-level understanding and drive for complex technologies are also encouraged to apply.

• Define and execute regional business development strategy for the drone/UAV segment.
• Identify, develop, and drive new business opportunities with OEMs, Tier1s, and  industrial players.
• Drive system-level selling by translating customer requirements into integrated hardware, software and AI-enabled solutions.
• Build and expand regional ecosystem including module vendors, design houses, and system integrators.
• Establish trusted relationships with executive and technical stakeholders (CTO, engineering, business stakeholders).
• Lead complex design-win cycles from opportunity identification to Design Win closure.
• Provide market intelligence and competitive insights to influence product strategy and roadmap.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, engineering, marketing, and product lines.

• Represent the company in customer engagements, industry events, and strategic forums.

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in business development, strategic sales, or related roles (senior level expected, but high-potential younger candidates with strong system understanding will be considered).
• Proven track record of managing complex B2B sales cycles and securing high-value design wins.
• Strong experience in drones, robotics, aerospace or embedded systems markets.
• Strong affinity and experience with AI-enabled systems and their integration into edge applications.
• Demonstrated ability to perform system-level selling (beyond components) including value-based solution positioning.
• Experience working with ecosystem partners such as module vendors, ODMs, integrators, software and AI partners.
• Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills at executive level.
• Ability to work in cross-functional, international environments and influence without authority.
• Engineering degree required (electronics, embedded systems, telecom or equivalent).
• Willingness to travel across Eastern Europe and engage customers on-site.

• Key Competencies
• Strong communication skills
• System-level thinking and solution orientation
• Ecosystem development and partnership building
• Strategic market analysis and foresight
• Strong leadership and influence across organizations
• Results-driven mindset with ownership and accountability
• Adaptability in fast-evolving and competitive markets.
• English languages fluent mandatory.

Creating Secure Connections and Infrastructure for a Smarter World

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) makes products and environments safer, more sustainable, and more secure with innovative connectivity and edge processing solutions for a smarter world.

We are in the business of better. Not just better technologies, but better innovations to improve society. As the world leader in secure connectivity and processing solutions for embedded applications, NXP is solving the world’s most complex technology challenges to accelerate business innovation, enhance how we work, and advance how we live.

Ready to create a smarter world? Visit our career website and follow us on social: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

What can you expect

Contract: This is a fulltime position with a permanent contract.

Compensation: Besides a good salary, you will be eligible for our bonus plan and receive lunch vouchers, a number of vacation days based on seniority and the possibility to buy company shares with a 15% discount. We also have flexible work hours and a work from home policy.

Development opportunities: We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Our office: We are based in one of the high tech hubs in Bucharest with easy access to public transport and restaurants and parks close by. We have many relaxation areas on-site, including a little library where you can borrow books, sofas to relax in a quiet place and a cafeteria and restaurant in our common area.

Hiring process: Applying only takes a minute! Fill in the online application and share your CV with us. After a positive screening based on your CV you will have an initial phone or video conversation with our Talent Acquisition Consultant followed by several business interviews. Here are some useful tips to help you prepare.

And more: Life at NXP is more than work alone. We like to start our day with a free coffee and chat with a colleague and on Thursdays we have fresh fruits for all employees. Join us at one of the many social activities that are organized by and for employees such as our Christmas parties, our employee children’s party and food fairs. Or help us give back to society by donating blood or collecting clothes and food for children in need.

What’s next

If you’re excited about this opportunity, we kindly invite you to apply!

Please note: The successful candidate may/will be responsible for security related tasks. The assignment may/will be in scope of security certifications, therefore a conscious and reliable way of working is necessary.

More information about NXP in Romania...