Shield AI appoints Mark Pfeiffer as Head of Business Development for Austria, Germany and Czechia

Shield AI has given Mark Pfeiffer a new role: the recognised industry expert recently became Head of Business Development for Austria, Germany and Czechia at the US defence and aerospace company.

The company is based in San Diego, California, and is one of the most innovative providers of defence technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI). It develops autonomous flight and effector systems, AI-based “combat pilots” and software for military operations. Shield AI attracted international attention last autumn above all with the presentation of the X-Bat, a fully autonomous combat aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL).

Pfeiffer is looking forward to his new role with great motivation:

In recent years, Shield AI has developed into a highly relevant player in the international defence environment. In my new role, I want to further expand the company's presence, particularly in Germany, Austria and Czechia, and open up concrete business prospects. The start in this role has been very positive – I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.— Mark Pfeiffer

Career stages before joining Shield AI

Mark Pfeiffer can look back on a long and varied career in both the defence and the civilian technology sectors. Among other things, he has worked for Lufthansa Technik in the Special Aircraft division, for MAN Technologie on the Ariane V programme and in motorsport. He came to Vienna as Manager Commercial Support Service at Alcatel; this role also covered parts of the Formula 1 involvement. Further stages: Chief Marketing Officer of Inside Internet AG in Switzerland and Sales Coordinator at Avitech. At SAIL Labs GmbH, he served as Chief Visionary Officer and co-owner from 2003 to January 2021; he then held the same position at Hensoldt Analytics until September 2022. Most recently, Pfeiffer was responsible for international business development at IABG as Director International Business Development.

In addition, Mark Pfeiffer advises the European Commission as an advisor. Since 2020, he has also been teaching as a lecturer at the Baltic Defence College in Tartu, Estonia.