Founding Account Executive
Neara, Menlo Park, CA, United States
Job type: Full Time · Department: Sales · Work type: On-Site · USD 130000 -180000 / year
The Role We are hiring a Sales Executive to accelerate Aether's commercial growth in the U.S. market. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role for someone who takes ownership of outcomes and has a proven track record of building revenue from the ground up at an early-stage company.
You will be our first on the sales side. You'll work hand-in-hand with our scientific and BD teams to translate Aether's breakthrough materials capabilities into compelling commercial outcomes.
Target Markets
Advanced manufacturing & additive manufacturing (FDM 3D printing OEMs, service bureaus)
Industrial & specialty chemicals
Government innovation bodies, R&D agencies, and national labs
Core Responsibilities Own the full sales cycle, from prospect identification through close, across priority verticals.
Build and manage a robust, data-driven pipeline with accurate forecasting.
Define and execute a go-to-market strategy in partnership with leadership.
Strategic & Technical Sales Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales engagements with engineering teams, R&D leadership, CTO offices, and procurement.
Build trust with highly technical buyers by combining commercial acumen with a genuine understanding of customer problems.
Structure deals including pilot projects, PoCs, joint development agreements, and multi-year partnerships.
Translate customer challenges into compelling value propositions grounded in Aether's materials science capabilities.
Market Building Map the U.S. ecosystem: OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, additive manufacturing partners, defense innovation units, and industrial conglomerates.
Identify early commercial pathways where Aether's materials drive step-change performance for customers.
Represent Aether at industry events, conferences, and in ecosystem consortiums.
Who you are: You take ownership of outcomes and are motivated by building something from the ground up
You’re persistent and resourceful, especially when deals are ambiguous or slow moving
You balance urgency and thoughtfulness in technical, high-stakes environments
You earn trust quickly with engineers and operators by focusing on substance over style
Preferred Qualifications 6+ years in enterprise sales - ideally in advanced materials, 3D printing, industrial tech, or deeptech.
History of proactively sourcing and advancing opportunities, not relying on inbound demand or established brand pull.
Demonstrated track record of closing complex, high-value deals with long sales cycles in engineering-led environments.
Ability to maintain momentum across long sales cycles with multiple stakeholders and ambiguous buying processes.
Experience selling into aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing verticals.
Proven ability to build commercial momentum at an early-stage or Series A/B company.
Ability to credibly engage with technical buyers: engineers, R&D directors, CTO offices, and program managers.
Comfortable operating with high autonomy in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.
Experience with regulated, security-conscious environments (defense procurement, government contracts, etc.).
Exceptional Candidates Might Have Background in materials science, chemical engineering, industrial biotech, or a related applied science (degree helpful but not required).
Familiarity with DoD innovation programs (SBIR, DARPA, DIU, etc.) and government procurement pathways.
Experience at a deeptech startup or dual-use technology company.
Existing relationships within aerospace/defense primes or additive manufacturing OEMs.
The pay range for this role is $130,000 – $180,000 base salary with $260,000 – $320,000 on-target earnings. Final compensation is based on skills and experience. Equity participation included.
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The Role We are hiring a Sales Executive to accelerate Aether's commercial growth in the U.S. market. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role for someone who takes ownership of outcomes and has a proven track record of building revenue from the ground up at an early-stage company.
You will be our first on the sales side. You'll work hand-in-hand with our scientific and BD teams to translate Aether's breakthrough materials capabilities into compelling commercial outcomes.
Target Markets
Advanced manufacturing & additive manufacturing (FDM 3D printing OEMs, service bureaus)
Industrial & specialty chemicals
Government innovation bodies, R&D agencies, and national labs
Core Responsibilities Own the full sales cycle, from prospect identification through close, across priority verticals.
Build and manage a robust, data-driven pipeline with accurate forecasting.
Define and execute a go-to-market strategy in partnership with leadership.
Strategic & Technical Sales Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales engagements with engineering teams, R&D leadership, CTO offices, and procurement.
Build trust with highly technical buyers by combining commercial acumen with a genuine understanding of customer problems.
Structure deals including pilot projects, PoCs, joint development agreements, and multi-year partnerships.
Translate customer challenges into compelling value propositions grounded in Aether's materials science capabilities.
Market Building Map the U.S. ecosystem: OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, additive manufacturing partners, defense innovation units, and industrial conglomerates.
Identify early commercial pathways where Aether's materials drive step-change performance for customers.
Represent Aether at industry events, conferences, and in ecosystem consortiums.
Who you are: You take ownership of outcomes and are motivated by building something from the ground up
You’re persistent and resourceful, especially when deals are ambiguous or slow moving
You balance urgency and thoughtfulness in technical, high-stakes environments
You earn trust quickly with engineers and operators by focusing on substance over style
Preferred Qualifications 6+ years in enterprise sales - ideally in advanced materials, 3D printing, industrial tech, or deeptech.
History of proactively sourcing and advancing opportunities, not relying on inbound demand or established brand pull.
Demonstrated track record of closing complex, high-value deals with long sales cycles in engineering-led environments.
Ability to maintain momentum across long sales cycles with multiple stakeholders and ambiguous buying processes.
Experience selling into aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing verticals.
Proven ability to build commercial momentum at an early-stage or Series A/B company.
Ability to credibly engage with technical buyers: engineers, R&D directors, CTO offices, and program managers.
Comfortable operating with high autonomy in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.
Experience with regulated, security-conscious environments (defense procurement, government contracts, etc.).
Exceptional Candidates Might Have Background in materials science, chemical engineering, industrial biotech, or a related applied science (degree helpful but not required).
Familiarity with DoD innovation programs (SBIR, DARPA, DIU, etc.) and government procurement pathways.
Experience at a deeptech startup or dual-use technology company.
Existing relationships within aerospace/defense primes or additive manufacturing OEMs.
The pay range for this role is $130,000 – $180,000 base salary with $260,000 – $320,000 on-target earnings. Final compensation is based on skills and experience. Equity participation included.
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