How to apply for Account Executive, Defence & Intelligence, France

About Planet

Planet operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history and delivers that data through a cloud platform. It is both a space company and a data company, serving commercial, environmental, and humanitarian users. Employees work remotely worldwide or from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

About the role

This role is based in France and focuses on growing Planet's government sales pipeline and book of business within the Ministère des Armées and the Armées Françaises. You will sell Earth-imaging satellite data and platform access to defence and intelligence customers. The position is remote and full-time.

A typical day

A typical day might involve prospecting within the Ministère des Armées, preparing tailored demos of Planet's data platform, and coordinating with internal teams across time zones. You would manage your own schedule and pipeline since the role is remote and based in France. Exact daily routines depend on the team and account stage, so ask about internal sales support and meeting cadence during interviews.

Who Planet is looking for

• Has direct experience selling to the Ministère des Armées or the Armées Françaises, or deep familiarity with French defence procurement.
• Can work independently and build pipeline without close daily supervision, since the role is remote and based in France.
• Understands how to sell data or software platforms to government and defence buyers, not just hardware.
• Is fluent in French and able to operate in English for internal communication with a global remote team.

Tips for this application

• Name specific French defence programs, units, or procurement channels you have sold into or worked with.
• Quantify your government sales results: pipeline generated, contract value closed, or accounts grown.
• Explain how you would build a pipeline in the Ministère des Armées from scratch, since the role says 'growing' the pipeline.
• Address the remote nature of the role directly. State how you stay organized and independent when not in an office.
• Reference Planet's satellite constellation and cloud platform by name to show you understand what you would be selling.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your existing relationships or sales track record with the Ministère des Armées or Armées Françaises.', 'How you have sold data, imagery, or software platforms to government defence or intelligence customers.', 'Your ability to work remotely and independently while coordinating with a global team.', "Why Planet's specific dataset and platform fit the needs of French defence and intelligence users."]

Research before applying

• Planet's satellite constellation: how many satellites, what resolution, and how often they revisit the same area.
• Planet's cloud platform and how customers access and use the data.
• The structure and procurement process of the Ministère des Armées and the Armées Françaises.
• Planet's existing public work or contracts with government and defence customers in Europe.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would build and qualify a pipeline within the Ministère des Armées.
• Your understanding of French defence procurement rules and budget cycles.
• A past example of selling a data or software platform to a government defence customer.
• How you handle long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders in defence deals.
• How you would position Planet's satellite data against competitors or alternative sources.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic sales cover letter that does not mention French defence or the Ministère des Armées.
• Claiming government sales experience without naming specific agencies, programs, or contract values.
• Ignoring the remote aspect of the role and not explaining how you manage independent work.