Director of Sales

About Us

Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us.

In just four years, we have raised a total of $120 million and have built a world-class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 17 different countries and with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

We have also launched our Metis AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.

Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer.

Are you up for the challenge?

Position Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Director of Sales – DACH to lead and expand our sales efforts across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with a primary focus on hardware OEMs and enterprise customers in the industrial, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Based in the region, this strategic leadership role is essential for driving revenue, strengthening our presence, and deepening long-term relationships in the DACH market—one of the most advanced and structured technology ecosystems in the world.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical fluency, proven enterprise sales success, and the ability to navigate the region's regulatory, procurement, and partner landscapes.

Key Resonsibilities:

• Develop and Execute DACH Sales Strategy
  Design and implement a comprehensive sales strategy tailored to the DACH region's enterprise maturity and structured OEM networks. Focus on long-term account development, recurring revenue models, and value-based solution selling.

• Drive Regional Revenue and Market Penetration
  Own sales performance across DACH with a strong focus on pipeline development, key account growth, and market share expansion. Leverage vertical specialization in sectors like Industry 4.0, automotive, and smart manufacturing.

• Manage Strategic OEM and Enterprise Accounts
  Cultivate and expand relationships with major hardware OEMs and enterprise clients. Understand complex technical requirements and procurement processes to deliver scalable Edge AI solutions aligned with regulatory and operational standards.

• Build Strategic Partnerships
  Identify and formalize partnerships with leading system integrators, industry alliances, and channel partners in the DACH region. Lead co-selling and joint go-to-market activities to extend reach and credibility.

• Lead Regional Sales Operations
  Recruit, mentor, and manage a local sales team where needed. Build a high-performance culture with structured planning, forecasting, and accountability, aligned to both quarterly targets and long-term strategic goals.

• Leverage Technical Expertise in Edge AI
  Effectively communicate the business and technical value of Edge AI and computer vision solutions to both technical buyers and senior decision-makers. Act as a strategic advisor and thought leader within the region.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  Work closely with global product, marketing, and engineering teams to align roadmap priorities with regional needs, ensuring optimal product-market fit and timely go-to-market support.

• Regional Travel and Market Engagement
  Travel within Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to meet with key customers, attend industry conferences, and engage with local ecosystem stakeholders. Maintain deep visibility into evolving regional trends and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a technical field (e.g., Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related).

• 10+ years of enterprise sales or business development experience in high-tech industries, ideally with a focus on Edge AI, computer vision, or embedded systems.

• Strong track record of working with hardware OEMs, industrial clients, and channel partners in DACH.

• Demonstrated success in developing regional sales strategies and consistently achieving or exceeding revenue goals.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills tailored to European enterprise environments.

• Fluency in German and English is required.

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within the DACH region.

Location

This is a remote role based in Germany, with frequent travel across the DACH region. Proximity to major hardware OEMs and enterprise customers is essential.

What we offer 

This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.   

An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team. 

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.