Independent Outside Sales Representative – UAS / Autonomy / Robotics Tempest Droneworx™ | Remote – United States 1099 Independent Contractor | Commission-Based | No Base Salary The Opportunity Do you already have relationships in UAS, autonomy, robotics, engineering, or university research—and know how to turn those relationships into business? Tempest Droneworx is building the commercial sales network for Corvus™, our newly launched engineering and validation environment for organizations developing drones and autonomous systems. We're looking for experienced independent outside sales representatives to help establish Corvus in the commercial market. This is a true hunter role for people who know how to open doors, engage technical decision-makers, develop new accounts, and close business. This opportunity is particularly well suited for entrepreneurial, self-directed sales professionals who already have relationships within our target markets. Representatives may carry complementary, non-competing product lines. What You're Selling Corvus helps engineering and research teams reduce risk during drone, autonomy, and algorithm development. Instead of relying entirely on physical flight testing, teams can develop and test autonomous behaviors, evaluate novel algorithms, conduct multi-aircraft and swarm testing, and progressively introduce physical aircraft as confidence increases. The objective is straightforward: Find and fix problems earlier—before they become expensive flight-test problems. Corvus is a high-value technical system with opportunities for core system sales, expansion systems, and ongoing service plans. Who You'll Sell To Our initial commercial sales effort is focused on three verticals: Drone & Autonomous-System Manufacturers / Engineering Organizations Companies designing, engineering, and developing drones and autonomous platforms. Autonomy & Algorithm Developers Organizations developing autonomous behaviors, robotics, multi-agent systems, swarm technology, navigation, flight controls, and related algorithms. Universities & Research Institutions Professors, Principal Investigators, research laboratories, and engineering programs actively developing UAS, robotics, autonomy, or novel algorithms. Accounts will be organized by vertical with defined account ownership. This role is focused exclusively on civilian/commercial Corvus™ markets.
What You'll Do:
As an Independent Outside Sales Representative, you'll build your own pipeline and manage qualified opportunities from initial outreach through close. You will: Identify and prospect new accounts within your assigned vertical Generate leads through existing relationships, outbound prospecting, referrals, LinkedIn, and industry networks Engage executives, engineering leaders, autonomy teams, professors, PIs, and other technical decision-makers Conduct discovery to understand customer development, engineering, and testing challenges Qualify opportunities based on technical fit, customer need, value, buying path, and timing Communicate the commercial value of Corvus™ Coordinate product demonstrations and technical discussions with Tempest personnel Build and manage customer relationships throughout the sales cycle Manage opportunities through proposal, negotiation, procurement, and close Maintain accurate account and opportunity information in Tempest's CRM Build and maintain an active sales pipeline You won't be expected to sell the technology alone. Tempest will provide product training, approved sales materials, pricing, and technical and demonstration support for qualified opportunities. Who We're Looking For We're looking for self-directed sales professionals who are comfortable creating opportunities rather than waiting for inbound leads. Previous experience selling into UAS, autonomy, robotics, aerospace, engineering technology, simulation, research, or related technical markets is preferred. Strong candidates will have: Demonstrated B2B outside-sales or business-development experience Strong prospecting and new-account-development skills Experience selling technical products, systems, equipment, or software The ability to communicate effectively with both technical and executive audiences A consultative, problem-focused approach to selling Strong relationship-development and follow-up skills The ability to independently manage a sales pipeline Comfort working with a newly launched product in an entrepreneurial, growing organization Existing Industry Relationships Are Strongly Preferred We're particularly interested in representatives who already have relationships with: Drone and UAS manufacturers Autonomous-system developers Autonomy and robotics companies Engineering organizations UAS and robotics research programs Universities and research laboratories Professors and Principal Investigators Technical executives and engineering leaders If you're already calling on these customers with complementary products or services, Corvus may be a strong addition to your existing portfolio. Compensation This is a 1099 independent-contractor, commission-only opportunity with no base salary. Tempest offers competitive commission-based compensation based on account source, product/service mix, and applicable sales terms. Specific commission percentages, account treatment, payment terms, and eligibility will be defined in the individual representative agreement. Location & Travel This opportunity is currently open to U.S.-based representatives. The role is remote and field-based. Routine travel is not currently required. Why Corvus? Corvus is newly launched, and we're building its commercial market now. This isn't an opportunity to inherit a mature territory and maintain an existing book of business. We're looking for representatives who want to help establish a new technical product, identify where the strongest opportunities exist, develop relationships in those markets, and turn those relationships into revenue. For the right independent salesperson, that means an opportunity to establish meaningful account relationships early while working directly with Tempest leadership and technical experts. Interested? Connect with us! Email jenni@tempestdroneworx.com with your résumé and a short note describing your existing relationships or sales experience within UAS, autonomy, robotics, engineering technology, or university/research markets.
