Vice President of Business Development

Core Mission: Unleashing In-Memory Computing

Our client is a deeptech startup redefining the boundaries of computing. Its patented technology seamlessly integrates into existing chip designs, boosting performance and energy efficiency for AI and IoT applications by orders of magnitude. Headquartered in Switzerland, this fast-growing, venture-backed company is now ready to solidify and scale its commercial operations in North America.

The Role: Silicon Valley Anchor & BD Leader

We are seeking a VP of Business Development to serve as primary commercial leader in the United States. This is a top-priority executive hire.

In this role, you will act as a strategic consultative seller and a dedicated account manager. You will be responsible for managing a portfolio of 20 to 30 critical accounts, converting active pipeline leads into closed partnerships, and proactively expanding our sales funnel by identifying new strategic market segments.

As the remote anchor in Silicon Valley, you will initially work in tight alignment with the European executive leadership team, gradually taking full autonomous responsibility for our North American market growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Pipeline Conversion & Expansion: Drive high-value B2B sales cycles to close, while actively identifying and qualifying new prospective clients to broaden our US sales funnel.
• Architect-Level Account Management: Manage and deepen relationships with a portfolio of 20–30 Tier-1 and Tier-2 semiconductor companies, hyperscalers, and OEMs.
• Cross-Continental Alignment: Act as the vital technical and commercial bridge between US customer requirements and our Zürich-based engineering team, ensuring technical alignment and realistic delivery scoping.
• Deal Structuring: Negotiate complex semiconductor IP licensing agreements, NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) terms, and collaborative technology partnerships.
• Phased Autonomy: Partner closely with the founding team to master the technology's value proposition, smoothly transitioning into the ultimate owner of the North American P&L.

What We Are Looking For

• Foundational Chip Design Background: A degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, alongside direct, hands-on experience in chip design/IC architecture early in your career. You must be able to speak the native language of hardware architects and CTOs.
• Commercial Evolution: A proven track record of transitioning your technical roots into highly successful complex B2B sales, business development, or strategic account management within the semiconductor IP/SoC ecosystem.
• Silicon Valley Network: Deep roots within the US semiconductor, edge-computing, or hardware ecosystems, with an established network of industry contacts.
• The Startup Edge: An entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives working independently as part of a distributed, international team.
• Exceptional Communication: Masterful ability to translate sophisticated engineering capabilities into tangible, high-ROI business cases for executive buyers.

Why Join this start-up?

• Strategic Leadership: You will be the face of the company in North America, executing an expansion strategy with massive upside.
• Massive Market Relevancy: You are bringing a technology to market that directly addresses the primary bottleneck of modern computing: power and efficiency for AI workloads.
• Global Culture: Work with a highly intellectual, collaborative international team of pioneers based in Switzerland and the US.
• Compensation: Competitive executive salary, performance incentives, and a meaningful equity stake in a fast-growing semiconductor startup.

Ready to unleash the future of in-memory computing?

Hit the Easy Apply button to submit your profile and full cv! To help us review your application faster, please include a brief note on why this hybrid role fits your expertise.

For questions or a direct introduction, feel free to reach out to Anton van Rossum at anton.van.rossum@ir-search.nl.